January 12, 2026 @ 11:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

OpenAI and SoftBank have joined forces to invest $1 billion in SB Energy, a key player in infrastructure development. This funding is earmarked for scaling up SB Energy’s data center capabilities, addressing the surging demands of AI technologies. As part of the agreement, SB Energy… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 10:44 am By JD Alois  |  

The independence of the US Federal Reserve is sacrosanct. Removing it from the vicissitudes of elected officials, many of whom do not have a clue about economics and finance, has been foundational to the stability of the US economy. The revelation that the US Department… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 10:37 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital banking provider Chime (NASDAQ: CHYM) has unveiled significant updates that underscore its commitment to leveraging technology and talent for better financial services. Chime has reportedly been focused on the integration of artificial intelligence in order to transform member experiences. And, last month, it announced… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 10:11 am By JD Alois  |  

The United Kingdom is a leading jurisdiction in the world for private firms and funding.  According to a new report published by Tracxn, the UK is the second most funded ecosystem in the world behind the US, but surpassing India and China. The report states… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 9:58 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Mollie, one of Europe’s payment service providers or PSPs, has officially become a Principal Member of the European Payments Initiative (EPI). Announced recently this month, this partnership positions Mollie at the core of the EPI’s efforts to create a sovereign payment infrastructure for businesses and… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 8:37 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

According to the data collected by Slowmist, cybercriminals stole nearly $3 billion in crypto hacks and scams in 2025. Researchers recorded a total of 202 hack events, of which one was responsible for almost half of all losses. In February, a large-scale outflow of funds… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 7:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tennessee has emerged as a key player in enforcing state-level regulations against platforms blending prediction markets with sports outcomes. On January 9, 2026, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) issued cease-and-desist orders to three major operators—Kalshi, Polymarket, as well as Crypto.com—accusing them of violating the… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 6:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Financial infrastructure Fintech Plaid recently shared a detailed recap of its 2025 achievements and announced a strategic executive hire that signals its commitment to navigating regulatory matters. The Fintech company, known for connecting financial apps to bank accounts, released a comprehensive overview of its progress… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 5:53 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Artificial intelligence is no longer a remote, futuristic concept but a core driver of transformation in wealth and asset management. A study by FNZ, in partnership with research firm ThoughtLab, reveals that AI is reshaping the industry at an unprecedented pace. Drawing from surveys of… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 4:38 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a significant step forward for the UK’s financial sector, UK Finance has released an industry proposal outlining a commercial model for Wave 2 of commercial variable recurring payments (cVRP). This development aims to expand the capabilities of Open Banking, potentially fostering innovation and efficiency… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 3:46 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Stripe has announced a new integration with Microsoft Copilot, enabling seamless shopping experiences directly within chat conversations. Announced this month, this collaboration introduces Copilot Checkout, a feature that allows U.S. users to discover and purchase products from various digital commerce platforms and retailers like Etsy,… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 2:13 am By Omar Faridi  |  

London-based Zilch has announced its intention to acquire 100% of AB Fjord Bank, a Lithuanian digital challenger bank with approximately $120 million in total assets. This acquisition marks a pivotal step in Zilch’s strategy to expand beyond the UK and establish a strong presence across… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 1:06 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple has announced that it has received key regulatory permissions from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), paving the way for the expansion of its Ripple Payments platform across the region. The approvals, granted on January 9, 2026, include an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 12:18 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Dfns, a Wallet-as-a-Service (WaaS) provider, this week announced a strategic integration with Concordium, the Layer-1 blockchain that embeds privacy-preserving identity directly into its protocol. The integration enables financial institutions, fintechs, and consumer platforms to programmatically create Concordium wallets and verified onchain identities for users This… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 12:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Regtech firm Fenergo continues to solidify its position as a key player in client lifecycle management (CLM) solutions. Recent announcements from Fenergo highlight significant partnerships that underscore the company’s commitment to streamlining digital onboarding processes, enhancing compliance, and driving operational efficiency. Fenergo noted that these… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 11:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Lloyds Banking Group has reportedly completed the UK’s first public blockchain transaction using Tokenized Deposits. Partnering with digital asset exchange Archax and the Canton Network, the bank executed the purchase of a Tokenized Gilt, marking a global first for sterling deposits on a public ledger…. Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 10:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s top anti-graft official has warned that the absence of clear laws governing online crowdfunding has opened the door to widespread abuse of public donations, as authorities probe alleged misuse linked to high-profile fundraising campaigns. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki said irresponsible… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 6:15 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

After a few weeks off, Web3 Thoughts of the Week returns with commentary on Ethereum, Bitcoin and the impacts from Venezuela. “While some myopic pundits are hyper-focused on the price of ETH, they are missing the huge institutional adoption cementing Ethereum as the new king… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 6:13 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Ilya Volkov, co-founder and CEO of YouHodler, believes 2026 will see continued mainstream progression for Bitcoin, AI, stablecoins and more. Read on to learn ore. In 2026, Bitcoin will graduate from alternative asset to global macro asset “We are witnessing Bitcoin’s transition into the global… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 6:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Adyen‘s (AMS: ADYEN) latest Retail Report for the US unveils a surge in consumer trust for AI-driven shopping. Released this month, the report highlights how artificial intelligence is evolving from a mere recommendation tool to a full-fledged autonomous buyer, potentially reshaping the entire commerce landscape…. Read More