Central bank digital currency (CBDC) – why go slow
CBDC will catapult society to new heights. We better get it right!
Cryptocurrency
Meta calls time on digital wallet project Novi
The Novi app and Novi on WhatsApp will no longer be available starting 1 September 2022.
Cartoon: Swimming naked
A new cartoon illustrating how the shift in the market will reveal which crypto unicorns can deliver.
EU reaches agreement on crypto regulation proposal
The new regulation will help protect investors while allowing for continued innovation within the sector.
US crypto platform Voyager Digital suspends all trading, deposits and withdrawals
Voyager’s CEO cites “current market conditions” as the reason behind the decision.
WTH are ZKPs? Making blockchain transactions private
In order to gain or have mainstream adoption of blockchain tech, it needs to be private.
Video: Bitstamp at Money 20/20 Europe – Putting trust in crypto
We chat with Bitstamp CEO JB Graftieaux to discuss how trust in and adoption of crypto varies across the world.
Video: Kraken at Money 20/20 Europe – Keeping up with cybercriminals
We chat with Curtis Ting of Kraken to discuss how financial crime is evolving in the digital asset space.
Flowdesk bags $30m in Series A funding round
Flowdesk plans on using the new funds to grow and scale its platform.
The future of crypto compliance
Exploitation by criminals has brought about a need for more regulation in the crypto world.
Crypto paytech Wirex makes a comeback in the UK
Along with resuming services, Wirex also announced that it is launching multiple offerings.
Citi partners METACO to develop digital asset custody capabilities
Citi will integrate METACO’s bank-grade digital asset custody and orchestration platform, Harmonize.
Blockchain paytech Roxe to go public via SPAC merger in $3.6bn deal
Roxe will merge with Goldenstone Acquisition and become a publicly traded company on Nasdaq.
What the Actual Crypto is going on?
Out of this crash will come stable businesses that genuinely add value to people.
State of play: Money 20/20 Europe
Fintech analyst Philip Benton recaps key themes and trends at Money 20/20 Europe.
Why I do want to use crypto to buy my pizza
I predict that in the medium term, we will begin to consider crypto a safe and reliable form of tender.
Canadian wealthtech Wealthsimple sheds 12.6% of workforce due to market volatility
As well as the layoffs the wealthtech will be “laser-focused” on core businesses investing, banking and crypto.
Fintech Zytara partners deadmau5 to create branded banking solution
deadmau5 will join Zytara’s advisory board “to help enhance the creative direction for Zytara moving forward”.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: CapIntel, Clausematch, Swoop & more
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across the globe.
Crypto firm Celsius halts withdrawals, cites “extreme market conditions”
Celsius says the pause is designed to put the firm in a “better position” to honour its withdrawal obligations in the future.
Money 20/20 Europe: A new era for a digital Sterling
Project New Era, set to launch in September, is a pilot evaluating the future digital currency ecosystem in the UK.
Jewel Bank, a new digital asset bank, launches in Bermuda
Bitbull Capital invested in Jewel Bank’s Series A round in 2022.
Layoffs and hires: Curve, Gemini and Citigroup
Curve and Gemini lay off employees, while Citi plans on hiring 4,000 techies.
Europe fintech funding round-up: Cryptio, Fung, Financielle and more
This weekly fintech round-up brings to you funding news from around Europe.
Money 20/20 Europe: Mode CEO Rita Liu on crypto adoption and regulation
Education and regulatory clarity are key to mass adoption of crypto, Mode CEO Rita Liu says.
Indonesian crypto investment platform Pintu lands $113m Series B funding
Intudo Ventures, Lightspeed, Northstar Group and Pantera Capital participated in the round.
Crypto exchange Coinbase extends hiring pause and rescinds some job offers
The firm cites “current market conditions” as a reason behind the move.
Cartoon: Untethered
A new cartoon illustrating the potential economic risks surrounding asset-backed stablecoins.
Babel Finance bags $80m Series B at $2bn valuation
The firm says it limits business to Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoins, and serves around 500 “select clientele”.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 20 May 2022
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
KPMG UK hires Crypto UK exec to bolster digital asset services
KPMG UK says the hires will allow it to offer clients “additional high calibre expertise”.
Programmable banking
We are fast approaching the time finally being right for programmable banking.
Blockchain fintech Oasis Pro lands $27m Series A
The company’s mission is “to bridge the world of traditional finance, blockchain and decentralised finance”.
Former Meta, PayPal chief launches Bitcoin payments start-up
Lightspark aims to “explore, build and extend the capabilities and utility of Bitcoin”.
Digital assets platform Elwood lands $70m Series A
The Series A cash will go towards expanding Elwood’s product offerings and global operations.
Blockchain data platform Chainalysis raises $170m Series F
The Series F pegs Chainalysis’ valuation at $8.6 billion.
New York’s Solidus Labs bags $45m in Series B round
Solidus Labs enables safer crypto trading across centralised and DeFi markets through its solutions.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 13 May 2022
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
EMEA funding round-up: Cashew, Stanhope, Elucidate, Spades, Sun Zu Lab & sqft.capital
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across EMEA.
UK crypto payments and banking platform BVNK lands $40m Series A
BVNK’s CEO says the funds will allow the company to “expand our services, markets and operations”.
