Fintech funding deals globally 1-7 March 2021
Featuring Klarna, Papaya Global, TaxBit, Beam Technologies, and Xendit.
Cryptocurrency
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 22-28 February 2021
Featuring Chargebee, Tyme, TypTap Insurance, Anchorage, and Earnix.
The dawn of central bank digital currencies: will they take over the cash?
The ECB plans to announce whether it will launch the project in the middle of 2021.
Fintech funding deals globally 15-21 February 2021
Featuring Public, Webull, Blockchain, GoCardless, and Personetics.
UK Black-owned challenger Atmen to launch in March
The start-up is now looking to raise £5 million from institutional investors.
The US market: are EU-based challengers coming to rustle up some feathers?
A deep dive and step-by-step comparison of US banks’ and EU challengers’ capabilities.
Reimagining the financial system with tokenised barter
Modern blockchain powered barter systems will change the way we view accessing, growing, and owning wealth.
Fintech funding deals globally 8-14 February 2021
Featuring Fraction, BharatPe, Agibank, Monzo, and Coinsquare.
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 exchange Gemini furthers banking play with savings accounts
Rates of up to 7.4% annual percentage yield (APY) will apply.
Ripple faces a new class-action lawsuit in Florida over unregistered XRP sales
Ripple has maintained that XRP is not a security and has vowed to fight the SEC charges.
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.
PAYMYNT Financial buys crypto e-wallet LettucePay
LettucePay operates on top of Stellar Network, an open source blockchain platform.
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.
Crypto platforms drop support for XRP amid SEC’s Ripple lawsuit
Some crypto exchanges have delisted it while others have halted, suspended, or disabled trading for XRP.
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.
UK CBDC researcher: We should be further along than we are
A UK CBDC won’t happen anytime soon if the Bank of England takes an iterative approach.
The Fintech Review: 2020
We cover embedded finance, competition, open banking, and CBDCs.
Standard Chartered to launch crypto custodian in UK next year
The bank will, through Zodia, provide custody services for Bitcoin, and Ethereum.
eToro soars to $2.5bn valuation, tripling since 2018
Israel-based brokerage firm has also recruited 300 people this year.
Australian business banking challenger Gallantree adds crypto function
Gallantree targets entrepreneurs, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.
Ziglu lands £6m in Seedrs crowdfunding campaign
Last month, Monzo’s former legal head James Sullivan joined Ziglu.
Sber partners with JP Morgan to pilot digital currency in 2021
Russia announced its new cryptocurrency law this year.
Principles for a global central bank digital currency and a single global payment system
The new global payment system should replace all current payment and settlement arrangements.
ECB issues Big Tech warning as it promises digital euro
European suppliers are essential in the building of technology on which a digital euro will operate.
Facebook’s Libra could launch as early as January 2021
Novi’s digital wallet is “ready from a product perspective”.
US crypto exchange Gemini banks on ClearBank for UK operations
Gemini launched in the UK two months ago.
South Korean payments provider Danal to accept crypto
The payments provider will accept digital currencies via ICON’s blockchain ecosystem.
