ICYMI funding round-up: Anfin, Cion Digital, D2X, KRM22, & Orenda Finance
Our weekly “In Case You Missed It” funding round-up for you to get the latest funding news.
Blockchain
Four fintech trends to watch in 2022 and beyond
The rise of Web3, instant checkout, and embedded finance are just a few reasons 2022 will be a pivotal year for fintech.
NEAR Foundation hires fintech veteran Marieke Flament as CEO
Flament leaves her role as CEO of digital banking app Mettle by NatWest to join the Swiss foundation.
Digital asset infrastructure provider Anchorage raises $350m in Series D round
The round, led by global investment firm KKR, values Anchorage at over $3 billion.
Crypto infrastructure start-up Ramp raises $52.7m in Series A round
Ramp will use the cash to drive expansion and further product development.
Carbon as a currency
Linking currency to carbon could open the door to a better and more sustainable economy.
Nuvei partners Visa to launch branded crypto debit cards across Europe
The programme plays “a vital role in expanding the crypto ecosystem”, Nuvei CEO says.
HSBC and Wells Fargo launch blockchain-based FX settlement solution
The shared, private ledger enhances settlement speed and efficiency and reduces risk.
Cartoon: The Pied Piper
A new cartoon illustrating the pull of the current crypto and blockchain industry to draw in talent and capital.
Novi chief and co-creator of Diem David Marcus to leave Meta
Marcus is stepping down to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities after seven years at the firm.
Swift changes for guarantees – are banks ready to deliver a digital trade service?
The new Swift CAT7 standards will have a significant impact on the trade finance industry, but are banks prepared?
Shinhan Bank readies stablecoin remittance PoC on Hedera network
This is the latest in a number of distributed ledger innovations by the South Korean bank.
Indian government takes next step in banning cryptocurrencies
Scheduling of bill points to government’s stance despite speculation over rethink.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – MoonPay, Airwallex & Gemini
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, every week.
Israeli blockchain firm StarkWare raises $50m in Series C round
Company aims to increase blockchain bandwidth to scale technology for mass use.
Crypto platform Gemini secures $400m in first outside funding round
The new capital injection values the company at $7.1 billion.
ING’s Evelien Witlox recruited to head ECB’s digital euro project
Witlox will analyse pros and cons of a digital euro to reside with cash.
Bank of England to launch UK CBDC consultation in 2022
Following consultation and development phase, CBDC could launch in second half of this decade.
How blockchain and cryptocurrencies can deliver financial inclusion for Africans
The uptake of blockchain and crypto has been growing in Africa, driven by the economic climate on the continent.
Fintech funding deals globally 1 November – 7 November 2021
Featuring Mynt, Plate IQ, Chipper Cash, Mythical and Moonfare.
Joshua Barraclough moves from JP Morgan to crypto trading platform Bitpanda
The new recruit takes the CEO role at Bitpanda’s crypto exchange, Bitpanda Pro.
Nigerian central bank launches eNaira CBDC
Central bank claims CBDC will boost financial inclusion in the continent’s most populous nation.
The law of unintended consequences
I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about programmable money. And this stuff scares me.
Asia Digital Bank partners Bianjie for blockchain-powered digital banking
The bank’s new digital infrastructure is designed to bridge the gap between centralised and decentralised finance.
Sibos 2021: Banks must work together to make the most of CBDCs, says panel
Panel says interoperability of CBDCs is necessary to avoid inefficiencies and poor outcomes.
Sibos 2021: CBDCs important to future of industry, says SocGen CEO
Speaking at Sibos 2021, Frédéric Oudéa says CBDCs “might be more efficient than, and might replace, cash”.
Sibos 2021: Africa has world’s best demographics for financial services, says Standard Bank CEO
Investment and connectivity have created “vast opportunities”, says Sim Tshabalala.
Sibos 2021: Citi’s Paco Ybarra says banks must adapt and collaborate in a rapidly changing world
Ybarra says that banks like Citi must work with, rather than against, change.
Sibos 2021: The technologies that will shape the immediate future of fintech
Which technologies look set to have the most impact on the fintech sector?
Sibos 2021: Financial services and the fight against climate change
How could climate change impact the finance industry and what more can companies do to tackle the issue?
Fintech funding deals globally 4 October – 10 October 2021
Featuring Devoted Health, CoinSwitch, Ajaib, Sky Mavis and Masterworks.
Daily News at Sibos 2021
Download your free copy of the Sibos supplement today!
NatWest chair warns against “gambling” with cryptocurrency
Sir Howard Davies says the “damned stuff” should be banned.
BIS finds CBDC-blockchain combo outclasses correspondent banking
Its new project, mBridge, experiments with new CBDC combinations.
Fintech funding deals globally 20 September – 26 September 2021
Featuring Sorare, MarketFinance, Dapper Labs, Airwallex and TrueLayer.
Bhutan central bank partners with Ripple to pilot CBDC
The CBDC pilot with the South Asian country is designed to boost financial inclusion.
Cobo raises $40m Series B funding for DeFi-as-a-Service platform
The Singaporean crypto platform will also use the $40m raised to secure regulatory licences.
Open banking’s unstoppable momentum
Regulation directives continue to push the financial industry towards a more open model.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – Mastercard, Papaya Global & more
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, every week.
SDX receives FINMA approval to launch Swiss digital asset trading platform
The authorisation will enable SDX to go live with a fully regulated offering.
