Record £180m worth of crypto seized by Met Police in money laundering probe
The operation follows the seizure of £114 million worth of crypto in June.
Bitcoin
FCA research reveals 21% increase in cryptoasset ownership
The watchdog estimates that around 2.3 million adults in the UK now hold cryptoassets.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – Wise, Société Générale & BBVA
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, twice a week.
BBVA Switzerland launches Bitcoin trading service for private banking clients
The banking giant plans to add support for more cryptocurrencies going forward.
Standard Chartered to launch UK-based cryptocurrency exchange
The new platform will be launched in Q4 2021 in partnership with BC Technology Group.
HSBC follows China’s stance in rejecting cryptocurrencies: Reuters
In an interview with Reuters, HSBC’s CEO echoed China’s anti-Bitcoin and pro-CBDCs stance.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 20 May 2021
The FinTech Futures weekly round-up of the industry’s top stories and happenings from across the globe.
Bitcoin tumbles below $37,000 following Chinese ban on crypto services
Chinese financial firms can’t offer clients products involving cryptocurrency.
Meet Jake: Gen Z crypto enthusiast
Gen Z is already forming an opinion about banks that is not favourable. Have the banks lost the battle for Gen Z?
Coinbase IPO values hits $99.6bn valuation with shares up 52% on debut
Shares closed below $330, up a lesser 32%.
UK gold wallet Glint goes crowdfunding with £6m “hard cap”
The start-up is raising to fuel its “growth phase”.
US crypto bank Avanti raises $37m in Series A funding
The new cash goes toward capital requirements.
The alternative currency revolution
We’re likely to see increased collaboration across the financial world.
Crypto.com signs first-of-its-kind F1 sponsorship deal with Aston Martin
Aston Martin wants to be at the “forefront” of the crypto boom.
Fintech funding deals globally 15-21 February 2021
Featuring Public, Webull, Blockchain, GoCardless, and Personetics.
Swiss start-up Valour recruits former HSBC exec Diana Biggs as CEO
Biggs began working in blockchain back in May 2015.
BNY Mellon to finance crytpo and signs Google Cloud deal
The bank cites “growing client demand for digital assets”.
Nigeria’s Xend Finance increases size of funding round to $2m
It initially launched its platform publicly late last year after raising $1.5 million in funding.
EXCLUSIVE: Wirex users hit by unexplained account restrictions and “disappearing” funds
A growing number of customers are fleeing Wirex.
Nigeria’s central bank issues crypto shutdown throwing fintechs into disarray
Nigeria is one of the world’s largest users of virtual currencies.
Crypto liquidity firm Wintermute raises $20m in Series B round
Firm plans to expand into derivatives and new markets in Asia.
Fintech funding deals globally 18-24 January 2021
Featuring PPRO, iSTOX, Indy, Mercado Bitcoin, and Brigit.
CoinSwitch Kuber’s $15m Series A marks Ribbit Capital’s first Indian crypto deal
CoinSwitch Kuber is gunning for ten million users this year.
FCA warns crypto investors could “lose all their money” after Bitcoin dips again
“Operating without a registration is a criminal offence,” says the FCA.
UK Treasury calls for input on planned regulation of cryptoassets and stablecoins
UK’s finance ministry says “the landscape has changed” in a short time.
Six trends that will change the crypto world in 2021
Which coins will rise in price and which ones will fall?
eToro plans for a $5 billion US IPO
The broker is eyeing a listing in New York and is already in talks with Goldman Sachs.
Bitcoin soars to record $34,000, but dips $5,000 in 24 hours
Bitcoin hit lows of around $18,700 in early December.
Coinbase files for IPO listing amidst racism scandal
The start-up has long struggled with its management of Black employees.
Italy’s Banca Generali acquires $14m stake in crypto fintech Conio
The deal will see Conio’s services offered to Banca Generali’s customers in 2021.
Standard Chartered to launch crypto custodian in UK next year
The bank will, through Zodia, provide custody services for Bitcoin, and Ethereum.
Ziglu lands £6m in Seedrs crowdfunding campaign
Last month, Monzo’s former legal head James Sullivan joined Ziglu.
US crypto exchange Gemini banks on ClearBank for UK operations
Gemini launched in the UK two months ago.
Australia’s central bank announces CBDC project with ConsenSys
The bank is looking at a CBDC for “wholesale market participants”.
PayPal weighs up crypto acquisitions following major wallet update
BitGo had a valuation of around $170 million in 2018.
PayPal brings crypto further into mainstream with wallet update
PayPal landed the first conditional crypto licence from the NYSDFS.
Indian crypto exchange Unocoin is raising $5m with Draper’s help
Unocoin allows users to trade in bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and tether (USDT).
Crypto exchange Gemini launches in UK armed with EMI licence
UK customers can now make GBP deposits to fund their Gemini account.
Fintech Mode joins Hut Group wave with London IPO listing
Mode anticipates a valuation of around £40 million.
Ex-Starling CTO’s start-up Ziglu launches crypto P2P payments
Ziglu insures digital assets against cyberattacks.
