November 18, 2019 @ 11:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

South Africa’s financial regulator, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), has issued a warning against Karatbars International GmbH, a German company that has been promoting a digital currency, called KaratGold Coin, which is allegedly backed by gold. According to FSCA’s release: “Karatbars International GmbH is… Read More

November 18, 2019 @ 11:24 am By JD Alois  |  

MimbleWimble, a privacy-oriented blockchain that seeks to cover users’ tracks, is said not to be very private at all, according to a blog post. Other privacy coins have gained popularity as much of the early usage of crypto was because of its ability to complete… Read More

November 18, 2019 @ 9:34 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Switzerland-based Nestlé, a food and drink processing conglomerate, has teamed up with Carrefour, a French multinational retailer, in order to “apply blockchain technology to infant nutrition for the first time.” According to a recent press release: “After being the first to apply blockchain technology to… Read More

November 18, 2019 @ 8:38 am By Omar Faridi  |  

According to a new report, US-based venture capital firms have been increasingly investing in London-headquartered companies this year. New data shows that UK-based Fintech firms continue to attract a large number of investors. US investors have reportedly contributed around in $4.4 billion (appr. £3.4 billion)… Read More

November 18, 2019 @ 7:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The number of Bitcoin ATMs installed globally has now hit a new milestone by exceeding 6,000 machines. According to CoinATMRadar, which tracks the number of Bitcoin ATMs worldwide, there are currently 6,003 cryptocurrency ATM machines installed globally. The majority, or more than 65%, of these… Read More

November 18, 2019 @ 7:23 am By Omar Faridi  |  

HSBC has been focusing on improving its digital banking platform in order to attract more tech-savvy clients, as the giant financial institution continues to face competition from Fintech firms and new payment services companies. There are reportedly eight new virtual banks that are expected to… Read More

November 18, 2019 @ 7:18 am By JD Alois  |  

iSTOX, a regulated capital markets platform that provides digital security issuance and trading, has raised $5 million in funding from Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings. According to a release from iSTOX, the funding also brings a valuable partnership that provides a gateway to accredited and institutional… Read More

November 17, 2019 @ 11:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Cashless or digital payments have become increasingly popular, however, cash still remains a widely-used payment method in most nations, especially in rural communities and jurisdictions with a large unbanked population. Following many years of steady growth, the total number of cash withdrawals made via ATMs… Read More

November 17, 2019 @ 10:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

The annual Fintech100 report has recently been released quantifying the diverse universe of Fintechs that are leading in the various sectors of digital finance. The report has been published since 2014 in partnership with KPMG and H2 Ventures. Some names remain consistent year over year,… Read More

November 17, 2019 @ 9:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently caught up with Dr. Lesley Czuma, director of sales development and media relations at Insolar, a Swiss enterprise blockchain development firm that counts Microsoft, Oracle and AT Kearney amongst its business partners and clients. Czuma, who earned her Ph.D. in political science and… Read More

November 17, 2019 @ 3:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

Abu Dhabi is planning to introduce the region’s first Social Impact Bond, a financial tool that raises private investment to support high-impact social programs, under the Authority for Social Contribution – Ma’an. According to the Ma’an Authority for Social Contribution, the Social Impact Bonds will… Read More

November 17, 2019 @ 2:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Cashaa, a cryptocurrency-friendly banking service provider, recently revealed that it’s introducing US dollar bank accounts for companies dealing in digital currencies. The new accounts are being offered through a partnership with Metropolitan Commercial Bank. Beginning on November 25, 2019, crypto-asset dealers and other high-risk business… Read More

November 17, 2019 @ 2:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Switzerland-based Avaloq, a company that offers a standardized Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) or Software as a Service (SaaS) model to financial institutions and wealth management platforms, revealed recently that it has finalized its acquisition of Derivative Partners, which was first announced in July… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 8:00 pm By Xu Gao  |  

Xiong’an to Launch “Financial Island” and Regulation Sandbox On November 13th, Zhu Zhongwen, deputy director of the Reform and Development Bureau of Xiong’an New Area Administrative Committee, revealed that a “Financial Island” of about 2.5 square kilometers would be built in the Xiong’an New Area… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 7:39 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Less than two years after raising £727,820 through its first Seedrs campaign, We Build Bots (IntelAgent) has returned to the equity crowdfunding platform and has already successfully secured its initial 250,000 funding target. The company is currently offering 7.64% in equity at a £3,021,340 pre-money… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 7:29 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

China Rapid Finance Limited (NYSE: XRF), one of China’s largest consumer lending marketplaces, announced on Thursday two developments that mark significant progress in regaining compliance with the New York Stock Exchange’s Continued Listing requirements. China Rapid Finance reported that it completed its 2018 financial statement audit… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 4:20 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Tether Inc, makers of a popular cryptocurrency that mimics USD (“tether” or USDt), has asked a judge in New York for permission to file a motion to dismiss a class-action suit filed against the company last month. The suit alleges that parties at Tether Inc and… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 1:59 pm By Cali Haan  |  

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and the Shanghai Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau have ordered securities regulators in Shanghai to identify cryptocurrency exchanges, token issuers, and distributors of foreign ICO’s in the city so they can be shut down, The Block reports. According to Chinese… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 12:44 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A Nestle grocery store based in Spain has introduced a facial recognition payment system designed by CaixaBank and the institution’s Payment Innovation Hub alliance. Samsung, Global Payments, Visa, and Arval are members of the alliance. Nestle’s Face to Pay Market application can be downloaded from… Read More

November 16, 2019 @ 11:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Payment software firm Bill.com is planning to raise $100 million through an initial public offering (IPO), according to a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Established in 2006 by PayCycle co-founder René Lacerte, Bill.com provides cloud-based business payments and offers a… Read More