Global

February 3, 2025 @ 4:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

TeamSec, a company that claims to be the world’s first AI-powered securitization platform, has raised $7.6 million through a joint investment led by Deniz Ventures, the venture capital arm of DenizBank, and Doha-based Rasmal Ventures. The funding round, executed under the Emirates NBD Innovation Fund—the… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 1:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Danske Bank‘s investment customers will soon benefit from one of the wealth industry’s investment and risk management technologies with the adoption of BlackRock’s Aladdin Wealth platform. Aladdin Wealth reportedly unifies the investment management process by combining portfolio management as well as data and risk analytics… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 11:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

NatWest Group has made a minority investment in Serene, an early-stage AI platform focused on addressing financial vulnerability. Through real-time customer insights driven by AI and behavioral science, the platform “detects early signs of financial distress and predicts risks to help financial institutions deliver personalized,… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 10:09 am By JD Alois  |  

Digital asset exchange Kraken has been approved for a MiFID [Markets in Financial Instruments Directive] license. A MiFID license enables a firm to provide services across the EU with standardized reporting and “enhanced” transparency. Kraken gained the approval via an acquisition of a Cypriot investment… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 8:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The private equity landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting market dynamics, policy changes, and emerging investment opportunities. Factors like increased deal flow, advancements in AI and technology, and a renewed focus on sustainability are expected to shape investment strategies and competitive positioning. Cyrus Nikou,… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 8:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Preqin, the global firm focused on alternative data and insights, released its Real Estate Q4 2024 (a Quarterly Update report). Henry Lam, the lead author of the report, notes that quarter-on-quarter growth in total deal value during Q4 2024 was “recorded across all the major… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 8:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Lloyds Banking Group has announced important updates that focus on enhancing its artificial intelligence (AI) related capabilities. Lloyds Banking Group appointed Magdalena Lis as Head of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI), starting on 3 February 2025. This follows the appointment of Dr Rohit Dhawan as Director… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 8:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

European digital bank N26 has recently announced the completion of its conversion from a German Stock Corporation (Aktiengesellschaft, AG) to a European Company (Societas Europaea, SE). N26 noted in the update that this step reflects the company’s commitment to evolving its corporate governance and “aligning… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 11:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bondster, a Czech investment platform, has become a member of the Czech Fintech Association (CFA), which supports the development of technologies in financial services. Bondster thus confirms its vision to be a key player in accessible investing. Petr Polenda, CEO of Bondster said: “Joining the… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 7:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Cedar Money, a payments company that enables cross-border money movement on stablecoins, announced a $9.9 million seed round led by QED Investors, with contributions from North Island Ventures, Wischoff Ventures, Lattice, and Stellar. The proceeds from the investment round will enable Cedar Money to accelerate… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 6:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Purpose Investments Inc., the firm behind the world’s “first” Bitcoin ETF and Ether ETFs, says it is further solidifying its presence in the digital asset space with the filing of a preliminary prospectus with Canadian securities regulators for the proposed launch of the Purpose Ripple… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 6:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

ASIC has recently written to superannuation trustees urging them to strengthen anti-scam practices, or risk ex”posing members to harm.” The open letter, which is reportedly signed by ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant, outlines their guidance for superannuation trustees in “preventing, detecting and responding to scams and… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 5:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Euroclear has announced a 7-year partnership with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) to transform Euroclear clients’ experience and drive new opportunities for growth. The partnership strengthens Euroclear’s business ecosystem and technology infrastructure by leveraging Microsoft’s tech, expertise and cloud services. This will enhance Euroclear’s ability to create value… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 5:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Enable Banking, the open banking provider offering business account connectivity and account-to-account payment infrastructure, has partnered with Qred Bank, a provider of financing solutions tailored to entrepreneurs’ needs. Qred specializes in delivering “flexible” financing, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses without the “constraints… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 5:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Egypt-based fintech Halan Microfinance Bank has expanded its footprint into Pakistan following its acquisition of Advance Microfinance Bank. The deal provides Halan with an existing license and a rapid route into one of South Asia’s fastest-growing microfinance sectors, according to an announcement. The company announced… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 5:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tether Holdings Limited released its assurance opinion for the fourth quarter of 2024, conducted by BDO, a global “independent” accounting firm. The attestation is said to reaffirm the accuracy of Tether’s Consolidated Reserves Report (CRR) and provides a breakdown of the assets “held as reserves… Read More

February 1, 2025 @ 6:03 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bank of Ireland’s latest economic forecasts for Ireland have been revised upwards. The bank has revised upwards projections “for GDP (4.3%), modified domestic demand (4%) and employment (2.2%) growth in 2025.” This reflects stronger than expected data for H2 2024, showing the Irish economy had… Read More

February 1, 2025 @ 12:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fintech firm Square’s annual report finds that global consumer businesses, including beauty and retail, plan to invest in new automation and loyalty programs in 2025. Square, the technology company that makes commerce and financial services accessible, released insights from its forthcoming Future of Commerce report,… Read More

February 1, 2025 @ 8:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

A recent report by Morgan McKinley, in collaboration with Vacancysoft, reveals a significant increase in job vacancies in the UK fintech sector. The report shows a 44% rise in fintech job openings in 2024, reaching 12,519 vacancies, up from 8,672 in 2023. The surge in… Read More

February 1, 2025 @ 8:43 am By Omar Faridi  |  

PitchBook‘s research report highlights the improving investor sentiment towards retail fintech companies, with public digital banks and neobrokers outperforming the broader market in Q4. According to the report from PitchBook, this trend is driven by retail fintech companies achieving profitability alongside sustained growth, reflecting improved… Read More