Opinion

March 22, 2023 @ 11:52 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK delivered some unwanted news today as inflation delivered a number that was hotter than anticipated – bucking a recent downward trend. The UK Office of National Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) increased by an annual 10.4%. This was above expectations… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 6:27 pm By Omar Makkawy  |  

Currency devaluations and inflation erode investment returns, reducing a company’s valuation and the value of its total addressable market (TAM). However, several sectors have demonstrated resilience in such conditions and can actually generate substantial shareholder value in difficult economic times. A major example is Egypt… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 3:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

While US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen claims the situation is stabilizing – not everyone in the banking sector is as certain.  Typically considered a mundane sector of finance and investing, US banks have tanked as everyone became aware of problematic balance sheets. While… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 9:43 am By JD Alois  |  

Eric Vanraes, Portfolio Manager of the Strategic Bond Opportunities Fund at Eric Sturdza Investments, has distributed a warning on the consequences of the Credit Suisse debacle. In the past week, Credit Suisse was acquired by UBS in a deal supported by the Swiss government. The move… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 8:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK has an “impressive” innovation infrastructure, including major research universities and levels of investment in Fintech only exceeded by the US, according to an update shared by Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN). This has “contributed to the UK’s success in incubating and hosting some of Europe’s largest… Read More

March 19, 2023 @ 7:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently caught up with Ofir Shabtai, CTO of Shield, an Israel-based Regtech firm. Banks are crawling toward hybrid cloud solutions. Given this key trend, Ofir Shabtai from Shield talked abut how to balance the modern need for the cloud with the security of on-premise… Read More

March 15, 2023 @ 12:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered the Spring Statement today, making several big announcements, including a huge change in retirement planning. Hunt said that the Conservative government’s approach to the economy is “on the right track” while noting they “remain vigilant” and will take… Read More

March 14, 2023 @ 5:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

Tasneem Dohadwala, Founding Partner of VC Excelstar Ventures, has shared her thoughts on the demise of several banks and the federal government’s decision to guarantee all deposits. Some observers have criticized the “government bailout” while others have noted that if the Feds had not taken… Read More

March 14, 2023 @ 10:08 am By JD Alois  |  

Last month, CI hosted a webinar to review the securities crowdfunding market of 2022 as well as expectations for 2023. While the consensus of the group was that online capital formation softened in the waning months of 2022, panelists participating in the webinar were more… Read More

March 13, 2023 @ 3:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

Everyone is now speculating as to whether or not the Fed will raise rates by 25 bps later this month or not at all. Most observers currently believe 50 bps is off the table following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (NASDAQ:SIVB). The Fed’s aggressive… Read More

March 13, 2023 @ 11:54 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier today, HSBC announced that it had acquired Silicon Valley Bank UK for £1 in a transaction approved by UK banking regulators. SVB has been a top banking firm for venture-backed firms around the world, and its UK operation is perhaps the most prominent. As… Read More

March 11, 2023 @ 1:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

The demise of Silicon Valley Bank (NASDAQ:SIVB) has shocked everyone. Last week, SVB announced that it was raising both debt and equity capital to shore up its balance sheet.  The bank that provides services to almost half of all venture-backed tech firms gave the all-clear… Read More

March 9, 2023 @ 11:39 am By JD Alois  |  

Like the day is followed by night, we can count on politicians piling on a debacle when they can craft a sound bite that fits their desired narrative. As was reported yesterday, Silvergate Capital Corporation (NYSE:SI) has decided to wind down its operations following the collapse… Read More

March 9, 2023 @ 10:50 am By JD Alois  |  

In a diplomatically worded missive, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, has posted a “Parting Perspective Letter” regarding its efforts in recent years while outlining its recommendations – that the Commission has ignored. The letter, signed by Committee Chair Carla… Read More

March 8, 2023 @ 12:40 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier today, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced another enforcement action taken against crypto ATMs. This time, the FCA targeted unauthorized crypto ATMs operating in East London. The FCA requires all crypto firms, including ATMs, to be registered and adherent to anti-money laundering rules…. Read More

March 7, 2023 @ 9:45 am By JD Alois  |  

Later this week, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, part of the House Financial Services Committee, will hold a hearing entitled U.S. Public Markets Built for the 21st Century: Exploring Reforms to Make Our Public Markets Attractive for Small and Emerging Companies Raising Capital. As the… Read More

March 5, 2023 @ 6:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Eric Parker, co-founder and CEO of Giddy, a provider of cryptocurrency wallets, recently shared his views and insights exclusively with Crowdfund Insider. Parker talked about the different opportunities that consumers may be willing to explore in the nascent DeFi space. He also touched on some… Read More

March 2, 2023 @ 4:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently caught up with Sarah Howell, SVP of Partner Programs at Infinant, a financial technology company that provides pioneering infrastructure to help banks build embeddable financial products above their legacy banking technology. Sarah Howell shared her insights on the origins of the ecosystem strategy,… Read More

March 1, 2023 @ 4:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) has published an Op-Ed on CNBC lambasting public officials that are standing in the way of digital asset innovation. Coinbase, the only publicly traded crypto exchange in the US, may end up being collateral damage to the ongoing onslaught… Read More

February 28, 2023 @ 5:56 pm By JD Alois  |  

  The SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) was created by Congress in recognition that smaller firms too frequently did not garner the support they need. The Committee formally provides feedback to the Commission and, ostensibly, the SEC should be reviewing and pursuing… Read More