January 5, 2026 @ 8:54 am By JD Alois  |  

Payments firm Flutterwave has acquired Mono in a move to boost its open banking infrastructure. The terms of the deal were not revealed. In a public statement, Flutterwave said the purchase improves its ability to build a “connected, interoperable financial system for Africa.” Flutterwave is… Read More

 Tagged africa, flutterwave, mono, open banking, payments

January 5, 2026 @ 8:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ever-changing world of work, 2026 is ushering in fresh dynamics across the gig economy, workforce trends, and globalization. These developments highlight how technology, consumer behavior, and economic pressures are reshaping employment and business operations worldwide. Starting with globalization and payroll advancements, companies managing… Read More

 Tagged deel, insights, payments, payroll, stablecoins, workforce

January 4, 2026 @ 7:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As the global economy stabilizes, venture capital in Latin America’s startup ecosystem is on the cusp of a significant resurgence in 2026. After enduring a multi-year slowdown triggered by economic headwinds since 2022, experts forecast a renewed influx of funding, particularly targeting financial technology companies…. Read More

 Tagged analysis, fintech, latam, research

January 4, 2026 @ 5:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Cathie Wood’s ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) posted a 29% return in 2025, contrasting sharply with a broader fintech sector downturn. This performance stemmed from strategic shifts toward artificial intelligence-related holdings, which offset declines in traditional payment and cryptocurrency assets. The fund’s portfolio expanded beyond… Read More

 Tagged ark invest, cathie wood, fintech, investments

January 4, 2026 @ 5:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving ecosystem of prediction markets, Kalshi Inc. has quickly emerged as a significant force, recently highlighting research that positions its platform as a potentially superior tool for anticipating inflation trends. This development comes at a time when economic uncertainty continues to grip global… Read More

 Tagged inflation, kalshi, prediction markets

January 4, 2026 @ 2:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently connected with Instant Financial CEO Tal Clark to talk about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) advisory opinion on cash advances for company workers and their preference for B2B models. Tal share his point of view on this matter including thoughts on why this… Read More

 Tagged cfpb, earned wage access, ewa, instant financial, perspective

January 4, 2026 @ 2:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As the world steps into 2026, the landscape of digital payments continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and changes in consumer behavior. From central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) gaining new features to concerns over cybersecurity and cash accessibility, several trends are poised… Read More

 Tagged australia, payments, research, thailand

January 3, 2026 @ 1:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Many UK households faced a challenging festive season in 2025, with financial pressures forcing significant cutbacks. According to Vanquis Bank‘s Financial Wellbeing Index, one in five families earning less than £40,000 annually reduced their holiday spending, highlighting the ongoing struggle with escalating living expenses. Overall,… Read More

 Tagged consumer behavior, financial wellness, research, spending, uk, united kingdom

January 3, 2026 @ 1:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In late December 2025, the City of Baltimore initiated a lawsuit against Dave Inc. (Nasdaq: DAVE), a Los Angeles-based financial technology company, accusing it of engaging in deceptive marketing and imposing exorbitant fees that effectively function as illegal high-interest loans. The action, announced by Mayor Brandon… Read More

 Tagged baltimore, dave, fintech apps, lawsuit, lending, loans, us

January 3, 2026 @ 1:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Quantum computing is standing out as a transformative force poised to redefine industries from finance to digital banking. A recent update from Citi (NYSE: C) provides key insights from Noelle Ibrahim, IBM Quantum’s Technical Client Advisory Executive. This update sheds light on the current state… Read More

 Tagged digitalization, ibm, insights, quantum computing