Mastercard acquires blockchain security start-up CipherTrace
Payments giant aims to integrate CipherTrace’s crypto security and fraud detection capabilities.
Blockchain
SEC threatens suit over Coinbase crypto lending product
Coinbase’s CEO and chief legal officer admonish US markets regulator over lack of clarity.
Globalisation, crypto and the new cold war
The emergence of blockchain and digital currencies is sparking a new tech battle across the world.
Investcorp tech fund snaps up e-wallet firm MIR
The acquisition marks the eighth investment from the private equity firm’s Investcorp Technology Fund IV.
CBDCs are now a reality: digital payments security needs to catch up
The potential benefits of CBDCs will only be realised if consumers trust the technology.
BitConnect faces $2bn SEC fraud charge
SEC alleges BitConnect and founder Satish Kumbhani siphoned investor funds into digital wallets.
Crypto exchange FTX.US acquires derivatives platform LedgerX
The firm aims to bring regulated crypto derivatives to its US user base.
API fintech Alpaca secures $50m in funding
The stock brokerage platform also announced a new crypto offering and a partnership with Plaid.
Blockchain’s potential to change the face of trade finance
Blockchain could be the most effective platform to help digitise trade finance processes.
PayPal launches UK crypto service
It is the first international expansion of the service outside the US.
FinTech Collective raises $250m for new early-stage investments
The venture capital firm’s total AUM now exceeds $500 million.
Blockchain start-up XREX lands $17m funding to expand global footprint
The fintech’s global investors include major banks and venture capital firms.
Rainshine plans four media and entertainment fintechs
M&E fintechs will be launched in part using the company’s blockchain platform.
Bitpanda valued at $4.1bn after $263m Series C raise
Austrian firm has now raised around $546 million in total funding.
Blockchain security start-up CertiK lands $24m in Series B extension
The “Series B+” investment comes just one month after the firm’s $37 million Series B round.
Fintech funding deals globally 9 August – 15 August 2021
Featuring Carta, Uala, FalconX, M-DAQ and TaxBit.
Figure Technologies to merge with Homebridge Financial Services
Blockchain firm says its technology can double Homebridge’s capacity.
CoinDCX lands $90m Series C funding to become India’s first crypto unicorn
The round was led by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin’s B Capital Group and returning investors.
Digital assets platform FalconX hits $3.75bn valuation with $210m Series C round
The California-based firm plans further growth and strategic acquisitions.
Circle announces plans to become a national digital currency bank
The firm says it will operate under the supervision of US financial regulators.
Fintech funding deals globally 2 August – 8 August 2021
Featuring Rapyd, Human Interest, Unico, Matrixport and Kuda.
ICYMI funding round-up: Snoop, Easy, Wildfire Systems, Ritmo & more
Another batch of funding rounds that might have flown under your radar.
Financial infrastructure firm Prime Trust secures $64m Series A funding
Las Vegas fintech looks to continue its growth and expand into new markets.
Figure Technologies closes $200m Series D funding round
Blockchain infrastructure provider hits $3.2 billion valuation.
Fintech funding deals globally 26 July – 1 August 2021
Featuring iCapital, Fireblocks, VNLIFE, Solarisbank and At-Bay.
Major Indian banks join trade finance blockchain project IBBIC
The consortium promises the creation of a secure environment for processing letters of credit.
Paystand lands $50m in Series C funding round
The blockchain-powered payments firm will use the new capital to grow the business.
FTX Trading hits $18bn valuation with $900m Series B round
The Series B is one of the largest ever funding rounds for a crypto exchange.
Finnovex Southern Africa – 27th and 28th July 2021
The event, being organised by Exibex, will be held virtually.
ECB agrees to move forward to investigation phase of digital euro project
Work will now focus on functional design and prototyping and will involve focus groups.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – Wise, LBGI and Circle
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, twice a week.
Monetary Authority of Singapore and Banque de France conduct cross-border CBDC test
The experiment was supported by JP Morgan’s blockchain innovation lab, Onyx.
Is DeFi the future of financial infrastructure and money?
DeFi is causing a shift in the underlying infrastructure powering traditional financial applications.
Circle to go public in $4.5bn SPAC deal
The combined company plans to float on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Ethos Invest launches ambitious Shariah-compliant private equity fund
The Financial Services & Technologies Fund has a target of £1 billion.
Blockchain data platform Chainalysis raises $100m in Series E round
It says it will use the funds to “execute its vision as the blockchain data platform for cryptocurrency”.
NFTs: the good, the bad, the regulation
The metaverse is being called the “Internet 3.0” and offers tremendous opportunities for growth and creativity.
FCA research reveals 21% increase in cryptoasset ownership
The watchdog estimates that around 2.3 million adults in the UK now hold cryptoassets.
Blockchain Capital announces $300m investment fund backed by PayPal and Visa
The fund will be used to support the development of blockchain technology.
Blockchain start-up Securitize lands $48m Series B round co-led by Morgan Stanley
US banking giant says “we believe in the growth and adoption of digital asset securities”.
