December 12, 2023 @ 11:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Airbnb and Klarna have joined forces to launch Pay Over Time with Klarna, which is described as being a new way for guests in the UK to spread the cost of their reservation. The launch is part of a phased global roll-out which “will see… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) startup Chalk has raised $10 million in a Seed round, according to a note from the firm. The funding was led by General Catalyst, Unusual Ventures, and Xfund. In a blog post, Unusual Ventures explained the qualities that… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has signed a strategic agreement with the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) in order to drive its technology transformation program and “further enhance its banking services to personal and business customers.” Accenture will set up “a development center of excellence (COE) to… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

Wefunder, a top Funding Portal focusing on the Reg CF market, has announced a new service aimed at regular investors VIP membership. According to Wefunder, VIP members may benefit from better terms on securities offerings or perhaps a 10% bonus equity in certain investments. For… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Policymakers need a “fuller view” of consequences of illicit flows, including tallies of the fiscal, monetary, financial, and structural costs, according to an update from the IMF. The fight against financial crime isn’t lost, but the world “needs to do more to limit the economic… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mortgage rates falling from a 23-year high have brought some early “holiday cheer for home shoppers and sellers,” according to a recent US market update. The latest Zillow (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) market report shows monthly costs “for a new mortgage are falling, inventory is… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tether, which claims to be the leader in innovative blockchain technology, has announced recently a “significant” collaboration with Bitkub Online Co., Ltd. (Bitkub Exchange), Thailand’s cryptocurrency exchange (reportedly one of the most active in terms of crypto trading volume). This collaboration aims to launch “a… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 12:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thousands of people hunting for tickets, cars, pets, and much more were tricked into handing money over to fraudsters this year, “with purchase scams rising by more than two fifths (42%), compared to last year,” according to an update from Lloyds Banking Group. Last month,… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 10:07 am By JD Alois  |  

In a settlement with the State of New York, crypto exchange KuCoin has admitted that it operates a crypto trading platform that is effectively providing a service where users can buy or sell securities and commodities as defined by the State of New York. KuCoin… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

After successfully launching a new loan market in the Netherlands last year, the Bondora Group has now opened another loan market in Latvia. The investment platform’s management says it is pleased to announce that customers in Latvia can now access Bondora’s convenient online credit financial… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision met virtually on 5 and 7 December to discuss a range of policy and supervisory initiatives. The Committee took stock of its review of various elements of “the prudential standard for banks’ exposures to crypto-assets published in December 2022.”… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The CertiK team has released an update, titled, The Rise of Stablecoins in Unstable Times. As noted in a blog post by CertiK, the total value of circulating stablecoins currently “stands north of $120 billion.” As stated in the CertiK update, they have steadily “grown… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:35 am By Michael Wong  |  

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a “regulatory sandbox” framework, issuing preliminary guidelines to foster innovation in the financial technology (Fintech) sector. This initiative, part of the central bank’s Vision 2028 strategy, aims to create a more collaborative regulatory environment for startups and… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:01 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been pounded the drums for some time now on the interest earned by consumers on cash balances held on various platforms. While interest rates have risen dramatically in the past couple of years, many financial institutions have been… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:39 am By JD Alois  |  

OurCrowd, a top venture investor in Israel that offers smaller investors the opportunity to participate in VC rounds, has backed the funding round for CorrActions. According to a statement by Israel-based CorrActions, the funding was led by Volvo Cars Tech Fund, along with BlackBerry, and… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank, has appointed Ian Connatty as its first Deputy Chief Investment Officer. This is in addition to his role “as Managing Director, Direct and Co-investment, British Patient Capital, a commercial subsidiary of the Bank.” The Deputy Chief… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The latest Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs survey pointed to a renewed rise in hiring activity across Scotland in November. As mentioned in a blog post, mild expansions were signaled for “both permanent placements and temp billings amid reports of successful recruitment campaigns… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto exchange Binance, which recently agreed to pay a massive $4.3 billion+ as part of an unprecedented settlement with US regulators, is now preparing to leave the Russian market. The company will also end support for Ruble-based transactions due to regulatory challenges. Binance confirmed that… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) has shared its latest Consumer Expectations Survey results. As noted in an update posted by the ECB, when compared with September 2023: median consumer inflation expectations for the next 12 months and for three years ahead remained unchanged; expectations for… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 2:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Aria, a Fintech based in France that is a payments and credit platform, has raised €15 million in funding, according to a note from the company. 13books Capital led the funding round with the participation from Adevinta Ventures, Otium Capital, Ankaa Ventures, and individual investors,… Read More