Global

February 4, 2025 @ 1:29 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Preqin, the global firm focused on alternatives data and key industry insights, released its Venture Capital Q4 2024 (the Preqin Quarterly Update report). The research report highlights that global venture capital deal value was “up 61% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2024, to $87.4bn from $54.2bn in… Read More

February 4, 2025 @ 12:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Experian released its Future of Fraud Forecast, revealing emerging fraud threats that could challenge businesses and consumers in 2025. This year’s predictions show that fraudsters will “continue to double down on the digital landscape and leverage Generative AI (GenAI) to commit sophisticated crimes at a… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 11:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group signed €89 billion in new financing last year. The Group made more investments to strengthen EU energy security, mobilizing over “€100 billion for projects in new and upgraded infrastructure such as grids and interconnectors, renewables, net-zero industries, efficiency and storage.”… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 11:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitcoin Suisse has entered into a partnership with Chronicle Labs and announces the support of the Chronicle Protocol as a validator node operator. This latest partnership announcement highlights Bitcoin Suisse’s dedication to fostering infrastructure in the blockchain space, “enabling growth and innovation in the cryptocurrency… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 9:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Customers engaging in e-commerce activities via Amazon.com.au can now use ‘PayTo’ to make a purchase directly from their bank account in a secure way, removing the need to provide sensitive payment card details. The PayTo payment option gives Amazon.com.au customers visibility and control over their… Read More

February 3, 2025 @ 4:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

BounceBit, the centralized Bitcoin restaking platform that provides “institutional-grade” DeFi investing products, introduced “dual-yield” opportunities by partnering with Hashnote, a Circle company, to integrate Hashnote’s yield-bearing USYC token into its platform. Institutions can use the tokenized money market fund as collateral for BounceBit’s delta-neutral trading… Read More

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