Global

January 15, 2026 @ 10:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move to bridge cryptocurrency with everyday finance, Lemon, a digital wallet serving more than 5.5 million customers across the region, has unveiled Argentina’s inaugural credit card secured by Bitcoin. This product allows users to secure peso-based loans without relying on traditional banking systems… Read More

January 15, 2026 @ 8:32 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple has secured initial approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s financial watchdog, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Announced recently this month, this development comes hot on the heels of similar clearances from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)… Read More

January 15, 2026 @ 8:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Alpaca, a provider of brokerage infrastructure, has announced a successful Series D funding round, raising $150 million alongside a $40 million credit facility. This latest investment propels the company’s valuation to $1.15 billion, marking a key milestone in its journey to democratize access to financial… Read More

January 15, 2026 @ 8:28 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Figment, Ledger, and Lombard have joined forces to empower Bitcoin (BTC) owners with new earning opportunities. This collaboration allows individuals who prefer to keep their BTC in self-custody to generate rewards without ever transferring their holdings to third parties or shifting them off the blockchain…. Read More

January 15, 2026 @ 8:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has introduced its new Trade Surveillance platform. Announced this month, this initiative aims to empower financial institutions with advanced tools for detecting potential market abuse and financial crimes. The platform debuts with two specialized solutions: one tailored for Markets in… Read More

January 15, 2026 @ 12:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Zodia Custody has announced its expansion into supporting AUDM, marking it as the first global custodian to offer secure storage for Australia’s inaugural licensed stablecoin. This move, revealed on January 8, 2026, in Sydney, underscores the growing integration of regulated stablecoins into mainstream finance. Zodia… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 3:18 pm By JD Alois  |  

  BLEND and Tasq AI have announced a business combination. Specific details on the agreement were not revealed. Founded in 2019, Tasq AI created the “Data Refinery” approach to AI training. The tech claims to help AI models train up to 10x faster than other… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 1:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ecosystem of Swiss retail banking, established institutions continue to dominate digital advancements, while digital-only banks intensify efforts to tailor services to individual needs. According to an analysis by Colombus Consulting, which assessed 28 key players using over 50 indicators spanning websites, apps, social… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 1:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

ESMA, or the European Securities and Markets Authority, has published a report on crowdfunding in the EU. In recent years, online capital formation has been operating under ECSPR or European Crowdfunding Service Provider regulation. This allows a platform to solicit investors across all member states…. Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 11:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

UK Finance has recently commented on how Europe is currently witnessing a considerable shift in the cryptocurrency and web3 sector, with digital assets increasingly integrating into everyday financial operations. Regulatory advancements, such as the European Union‘s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, are paving the way… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 8:33 am By JD Alois  |  

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), the leading global research group for Fintech, is in the process of gathering information for a global study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial services. AI is quickly becoming ubiquitous – especially in financial services. The ability to… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 8:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The finance sector is on the cusp of a major shift, potentially rivaling the internet’s disruptive influence. By 2026, digital assets are expected to integrate deeply into everyday financial operations, altering how companies and people manage funds, engage in markets, and conduct transactions. Lloyds Banking… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 8:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Cryptocurrency scams reached alarming heights in 2025, with experts projecting that fraudsters siphoned off approximately $17 billion from victims worldwide. This figure represents a sharp increase from the recalculated $12 billion lost the previous year, highlighting a troubling 24% annual growth trend in scam estimates…. Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 8:08 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Fenergo noted that in 2025, the worldwide landscape of financial regulatory enforcement is said to have underwent a transformation, with total fines for breaches in anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), sanctions, and customer due diligence (CDD) rules amounting to $3.8 billion. Regtech firm Fenergo also… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 8:08 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Spark, the Bitcoin Layer 2 protocol developed by Lightspark, has unveiled an roadmap for the second quarter of 2026. Announced recently via an X post from the official Spark account and amplified by Lightspark CEO David Marcus, this update aims to make Bitcoin more accessible,… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 7:40 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a landscape where small businesses form the backbone of the UK economy (and most other global economies of the 21st century), a pervasive lack of financial savvy is emerging as a major barrier to growth and innovation. Recent research highlights how low confidence in… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 1:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The British Business Bank has announced a £34 million investment in WestBridge III, a private equity fund dedicated to fostering growth in underserved areas. This commitment comes as WestBridge III successfully reached its maximum target of £225 million during its final closing, marking a key… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 12:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) continues to solidify its role as a key regulator in the European financial sector. In early 2026, the organization rolled out significant enhancements to its oversight mechanisms, including a revamped system for sponsors in the capital markets and impressive… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 12:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In early 2026, the Bank of Ireland has demonstrated its commitment to modernization and customer support through a series of key initiatives. These efforts span upgrading essential banking infrastructure, bolstering fraud defenses during high-demand periods, and advancing environmental goals via innovative financing. As Ireland‘s financial… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the increasingly fast-paced world of online retail, refund policies are becoming somewhat of a double-edged sword in some rather concerning cases—essential for building customer trust but vulnerable to exploitation by fraudsters. A recent study by Riskified, a key player in digital commerce risk management,… Read More