March 18, 2024 @ 12:06 am By Michael Wong  |  

Blockpass, a UK-based provider of compliant identity verification solutions for Web3, and Animoca Brands, a Hong Kong-based company known for advancing digital property rights in gaming and the open metaverse, announced a strategic partnership on to foster a more secure and compliant Web3 environment. The… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 11:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Retail Fintech VC deal value rose 5.0% QoQ to $2.6 billion in Q4 2023, according to recent updates from Pitchbook. However, deal value remained down by 18.2% YoY, the Pitchbook report noted. While this represents the third quarter in a row where VC deal value… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 11:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The digitalization of the Swedish payments market has contributed to faster, smoother and more efficient payments, according to a research report from Riksbank. But this development has also brought a number of challenges. Several groups in society “experience digital and financial exclusion, and there are… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 11:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Allica Bank – a digital bank for established businesses with 10 or more employees – has announced partnerships with accounting software platforms Sage and Xero. The direct integrations will mean Allica Bank business current account customers that use Sage and Xero can “have their account… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 11:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In time for tax season, Chime is offering its in-app tax filing pilot program for free¹ to even more members. After early success with the pilot launch, the all-new tax feature is now available to millions more Chime members, showing members are eager for a… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 5:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Amount, a Fintech powering banking technology for consumer and small business account opening, loan origination and financing, announced Len Eschweiler as Chief Revenue Officer. His appointment coincided with “the launch of Amount’s unified, cloud-based platform, designed to revolutionize account origination and empower institutions of all… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 5:27 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Central Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have inked a pivotal loan agreement valued at $23 million as part of efforts to bolster the country’s fintech ecosystem. This landmark deal was signed at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT-City), setting the… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 5:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain analytics firms Chainalysis estimates in a new report that “all crypto investors achieved total gains of $37.6 billion in 2023.” While this total is much smaller “than the $159.7 billion in gains made during the 2021 bull market, it represents a significant recovery from… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 5:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Collectively the spot Bitcoin ETFs have been quite successful, but even individually, most of the BTC ETFs would be considered successful compared to most ETFs, according to an extensive update from NYDIG. NYDIG researchers note that price movements and ETF flows will likely work in… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 5:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria has announced proposed revisions to the regulatory framework for cryptocurrency service platforms. The adjustments include a substantial increase in the registration fee for cryptocurrency exchanges, escalating from 30 million naira ($18,620) to 150 million naira ($93,000). The… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 9:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Visa (NYSE:V), a global enabler of digital payments, and Taulia, an SAP company, and a  provider of working capital management solutions, have announced a new partnership to make embedded finance accessible to businesses worldwide. The collaboration will incorporate Visa’s digital payments technology into Taulia Virtual… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 9:55 am By Michael Wong  |  

Saudi Arabia-based fintech firm EdfaPay announced that it has secured a vital technical accreditation from Discover Global Network, which includes prestigious entities like Diners Club International. This accreditation marks EdfaPay as a partner of one of the world’s most advanced payment networks, which serves over… Read More

March 17, 2024 @ 9:48 am By Omar Faridi  |  

N26 has reportedly launched Instant Savings in 13 new markets, offering customers up to 4% interest on deposits. Digital bank N26 recently confirmed in a blog post “the launch of its Instant Savings accounts in a further 13 markets across Europe.” From now onwards, customers… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 3:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Securities crowdfunding platform Seedrs is partnering with Outpace, a digital legal solution for startups powered by law firm Taylor Wessing. According to Seedrs, issuers that are raising – or having previously raised – money on Seedrs can now access legal solutions and advice from Outpace at “a… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 3:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Starting in 2025, Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plan to unify QR code payment systems to simplify transactions and avoid the need for currency exchange, especially benefiting tourists. This move, as reported by Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and announced by Japan’s… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 3:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

D2X, a Netherlands-based crypto derivatives exchange for institutions, has secured a $10 million Series A led by Point72 Ventures. Other participants in the investment round “included GSR Markets and existing investors Tioga Capital, Fortino Capital, Jabre Capital Partners, Picus Capital, and TRGC.” The investment comes… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 3:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

GoCardless, the bank payment company, has signed an agreement to acquire Sentenial Ltd, operating globally under the Nuapay brand, from EML Payments Limited (ASX: EML) subject to regulatory approvals. The acquisition will significantly scale GoCardless’ indirect channel proposition, consolidating its position as “a key payment… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 3:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Worldline [Euronext: WLN], a global enabler of payments services, has been chosen by the Cassa Centrale Group to pursue exclusive negotiations for a long-term partnership in the acquiring world. The collaboration involves the provision of services “along the value chain of digital payment acceptance and… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 2:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

‍L’Atout has reportedly finalized a €2M pre-seed round to launch a platform to enhance employee benefits. L’Atout confirmed raising €2M via an investment round that includes contributions from the Paris Region Venture Fund, the seed capital fund of the Paris Region managed by Karista, and… Read More

March 16, 2024 @ 5:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently announced a $250 million civil money penalty against JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) (NYSE: JPM) related to deficiencies in its trade surveillance program. The OCC found that JPMC allegedly operated “with gaps in trading venue… Read More