Global

February 23, 2026 @ 2:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a detailed analysis released on February 21, 2026, blockchain analytics firm Elliptic has shed new light on how several cryptocurrency platforms with deep ties to Russia continue to facilitate the circumvention of Western sanctions. These services enable Russian entities to convert rubles into digital… Read More

February 23, 2026 @ 1:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Earlier this month, Anthropic announced a massive $30 billion Series G funding round, pushing its post-money valuation to an astonishing $380 billion. Just five months after a $183 billion mark in September 2025, the AI company—founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers who left over… Read More

February 23, 2026 @ 12:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move set to reshape online checkout experiences, eBay has teamed up with TrueLayer, a European provider of pay-by-bank solutions, to introduce direct bank payments for its UK customers. Announced on 19 February 2026, the collaboration makes pay-by-bank functionality available at eBay’s checkout, allowing… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 8:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Regtech HYPR has recently indicated that in an environment being impacted by sophisticated cyber threats, organizations face mounting challenges in verifying identities during critical processes like hiring, onboarding, and account recovery. Fraudsters exploit stolen credentials, forged documents, synthetic identities, and advanced deepfakes to impersonate candidates… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 7:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

This past week, eToro Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ETOR) reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results on February 17, 2026, showcasing a resilient performance in a mixed market environment. The multi-asset trading platform highlighted its transition into a publicly listed company while advancing its vision… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 6:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

February 21, 2026 marks the first anniversary of the largest confirmed cryptocurrency theft in history. On that day in 2025, hackers drained roughly $1.46 billion in digital assets from Dubai-based exchange ByBit. Blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic was among the first to link the attack to… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 4:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dutch payments Fintech Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) released its half-year results on February 12, 2026, highlighting steady expansion and operational excellence in a competitive fintech environment. The company reported net revenue of €1.27 billion for the second half of 2025, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase on… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 2:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a new initiative to enhance the blockchain’s foundational architecture. On Friday, February 20, 2026, Buterin shared his vision for creating what he calls a “cypherpunk principled non-ugly Ethereum” — a specialized layer designed as a seamless bolt-on addition to… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 2:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has issued a stark warning about a dramatic rise in ATM jackpotting attacks, a sophisticated form of cyber-enabled theft that allows criminals to force automated teller machines to dispense large sums of cash without any legitimate transaction. In a… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 2:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has released fresh data highlighting the enduring strength of cryptocurrency-fueled drug trade on darknet platforms. In its latest insights from the Crypto Crime Report, the firm reports that total cryptocurrency flows tied to darknet marketplaces and drug vendors reached slightly more… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 2:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In Latin America, where traditional finance often leaves millions behind, only 2-3% of the population participates in stock markets. High entry barriers, steep minimum investments, and rigid trading schedules have long kept global equities out of reach for everyday citizens facing economic uncertainty. Recently, Bitso,… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 12:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a maneuver that underscores the deepening interdependence of AI hardware developers and frontier model developers, Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) is nearing the completion of a $30 billion equity investment in OpenAI. According to Reuters reporting on February 20, 2026, this commitment represents a pivotal element in… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 11:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK are facing mounting financial strain, with concerns over rising business costs hitting a record high, according to the latest insights from finance brokers. The findings, drawn from iwoca’s SME Expert Index for the fourth quarter of 2025,… Read More

February 22, 2026 @ 10:34 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Park Square Capital, a key player in the private credit space, has introduced a dedicated European Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO) senior debt strategy. This development builds upon the firm’s established Credit Partners platform, which specializes in large-scale senior debt investments, and aims to provide investors… Read More

February 20, 2026 @ 2:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Global payments processor Visa  (NYSE: V) has announced a definitive agreement to purchase two Argentine payment platforms—Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay—from private equity firm Advent International. The move represents a major step in strengthening Visa’s operations in one of Latin America’s key markets. Although… Read More

February 20, 2026 @ 12:58 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has hit multiple “influencers” (or finfluencers) with financial penalties due to unauthorised promotion of FOREX trading, according to a statement from the regulator. While everyone should understand that you should ignore influencers who seek to provide investing advice, especially… Read More

February 20, 2026 @ 12:52 pm By JD Alois  |  

Lithuania leads the Baltic countries in capital formation for early-stage ventures. Lithuania is also host to over 280 active Fintech companies, and is one of the largest Fintech hubs in the European Union. According to an email from Go Vilnius, the official tourism and business… Read More

February 20, 2026 @ 12:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mexican drug cartels, long reliant on bulky cash piles from fentanyl and other narcotics sales, are rapidly pivoting to digital assets for cleaning their illicit profits. A Bloomberg Businessweek investigation reveals how a decentralized, gig-economy-powered network has emerged to handle these transactions, leaving US and… Read More

February 20, 2026 @ 9:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ecosystem of alternative investments, certain phrases should trigger immediate caution. When a fund announces that redemptions are “permanently” suspended, orchestrates a $1.4 billion bulk asset sale, and operates under an opaque four-letter acronym like OBDC II, experienced observers recognize classic warning signals of… Read More

February 20, 2026 @ 8:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The euro area’s property investment sector, which contracted sharply after its post-pandemic peak, now shows tentative signs of stabilisation, according to a new focus piece in the European Central Bank’s Economic Bulletin. Recently authored by ECB economist Johannes Gareis, the report concludes that while investment… Read More