January 14, 2026 @ 2:13 am By Michael Wong  |  

Pakistan’s fintech sector has expanded digital access over the past decade, but the harder task is getting people to use digital payments in everyday life as cash retains a strong grip on daily commerce, Pakistan’s The Tribune reported, citing an Asian Development Bank (ADB) assessment… 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

January 13, 2026 @ 4:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

BitGo Holdings, a provider of digital asset infrastructure, has initiated its initial public offering (IPO). The company, founded in 2013, specializes in secure custody, wallets, staking, trading, and settlement services for institutional clients and investors worldwide. This IPO involves approximately 11.8 million shares of Class… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 4:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Risk analytics firm CyberCube has released its forward-looking insights for 2026. Titled “CyberCube Forecasts AI Reality Check Amid Rapid Change in Cyber Insurance,” the report highlights a pivotal year where artificial intelligence promises transformation but faces significant hurdles. As cyber threats grow in sophistication, the… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 4:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a significant blow to the nascent decentralized computing space, the Truebit Protocol fell victim to a sophisticated smart contract exploit on January 8, 2026. Attackers drained approximately 8,535 ETH, valued at around $26.44 million, from the protocol’s reserves. The incident, analyzed by the SlowMist… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 1:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

The crypto infrastructure bill has been working its way through Congress for months. The CLARITY Act was approved by the House of Representatives in July. The Senate’s version of the bill, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, has emerged after months of wrangling among digital asset… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 11:07 am By JD Alois  |  

Private securities secondaries topped $110 billion in 2025, easily beating 2024, which reportedly totalled $89 billion. This is according to HarbourVest Partners, as outlined in the FT. According to the report, private markets continue to grow, with secondary transactions boosting that growth. Liquidity, or the… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:49 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Lloyds Banking Group has announced a £195 million finance package with Orbit Group, one of the UK’s housing providers. This collaboration aims to upgrade thousands of social homes across the Midlands, East, and South East of England, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability.  The deal,… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:42 am By JD Alois  |  

Polygon Labs says it has signed a deal to acquire Coinme and Sequence in a transaction valued at around $250 million. The Sequence transaction is expected to close this month, and the Coinme transaction is expected to close in Q2 2026 subject to normal regulatory… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:28 am By JD Alois  |  

Netcapital (NASDAQ: NCPL, NCPLW), an operator of a FINRA-regulated funding portal and a broker-dealer, has announced its first tokenized offering. Digital assets, including digital securities, are the future of both private and public offerings, including primary and secondary trading. By incorporating blockchain technology, issuers, platforms,… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In yet another move to enhance financial access in 2026 for underserved small businesses in the UK, the British Business Bank has announced Midlands-based ART Business Loans as the fourth accredited delivery partner under its Community ENABLE Funding program. This latest development, revealed recently on… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:08 am By Omar Faridi  |  

HashKey Capital, a global asset manager that is said to be specializing in crypto and blockchain, announced the initial closing of its fourth fund, HashKey Fintech Multi-Strategy Fund IV. The fund concluded with US$250 million in total commitments, exceeding “initial expectations and drawing significant interest”… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 9:57 am By JD Alois  |  

President Donald Trump roiled the financial services sector this past week with his declaration that credit card interest rates would be capped at 10%. Of course, this would probably take an act of Congress and is unlikely, but the statement highlighted Trump’s lack of understanding… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 9:37 am By Omar Faridi  |  

BNP Paribas (EPA: BNP) has officially launched a unified asset management platform, positioning itself as a key European player with extensive global influence. The merger, completed recently this past month, integrates AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), BNP Paribas Real Estate Investment Management (BNPP REIM), and… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 9:22 am By JD Alois  |  

In one of the outlandish moves by the Trump Administration, it emerged this past weekend that the US Department of Justice was investigating Fed Chair Jerome Powell over cost overruns for renovations at the US Federal Reserve. Powell took to X to declare he would… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 8:06 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Business commentators believe 2026 will see steady progression in AI usage, with it frequently absorbed into daily operations. Hyperpersonalization, hybrid work, and human centricity are other themes. AI moves from experiment to expectation By January 2026, AI will no longer be a novelty. Businesses are… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 8:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move set to further bolster growth in the United Kingdom’s financial advisory landscape, digital bank OakNorth has recently extended a £4 million revolving credit facility (RCF) to Verso Wealth Management. This funding aims to fuel Verso’s ambitious strategy of acquiring independent financial adviser… Read More