African ID verification platform Smile Identity nabs $20m Series B
The latest funding round brings Smile Identity’s total capital raised to date to $31 million.
News
UK government lays out plans for BNPL legislation
The UK government is looking to bring BNPL into the regulatory sphere “in a proportionate way”.
Finastra reportedly looking to sell banking business
Finastra is understood to be exploring the sale of its banking portfolio for as much as $7 billion.
NewDay taps Checkout.com to streamline debit card payments
The partnership, which is already live, gives NewDay access to Checkout.com’s full suite of payment products.
Aussie fintech Shift lands $18m in Series C funding
Shift provides a credit and payments platform for Australian businesses.
FCA clamps down on unregistered crypto ATM operators in Leeds
The FCA will review evidence gathered during the visits and consider further potential enforcement action.
New app Tapeeno turns Android phones into card readers
Tapeeno “significantly” reduces the funding delay most businesses experience, the firms claim.
Dragonfly makes C-level hires as firm expands partnerships and portfolio
Alongside the senior appointments, the firm says it has also expanded its development and product teams.
Digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus lands $65m Series B
Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Pictet Group and Arab Bank Switzerland all participated in the round.
India’s PhonePe nets additional $100m in ongoing fundraise
The new capital infusion follows a $350 million fundraise from General Atlantic last month.
What the FinTech? | S.4 Episode 2 | Space Bank and financial inclusion
In this episode, we’re joined by Nika Kurdiani, deputy CEO at TBC Bank and CEO of Space International.
Laurentian Bank launches new credit card programme with Brim Financial
Laurentian Bank says the new credit card programme will “enhance the overall experience” of its customers.
TISA signs for Flexcube core banking system & applies for banking licence
The project will be delivered by Oracle FS’s implementation partner, Profinch.
NatWest Group snaps up UK fintech Cushon for £144m
The acquisition will enable NatWest to offer its commercial customers a suite of financial wellbeing products.
PayPal reportedly halts work on stablecoin offering
PayPal is hoping to get a clearer understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape, Bloomberg reports.
Singapore’s Aspire lands $100m in Series C funding
With the new funding, Aspire plans to build out its product offering and expand its regional presence.
Ex-Plaid exec Keith Grose joins Sequence as COO
Prior to joining Sequence, Grose served as head of UK for Plaid for four years.
Paysafecard CEO Udo Mueller departs firm
Mueller will focus on “helping other companies and entrepreneurial fintech enthusiasts in their growth ambitions”.
Swiss digital asset fintech Scrypt names Marc Wäckerlin as CTO
Most recently, Wäckerlin was CTO and executive director at Swiss crypto bank Sygnum.
Global ID verification platform ID-Pal names Tim Murphy as board chair
Murphy will be tasked with developing ID-Pal’s growth strategy and overseeing its governance requirements.
Ziglu founder and CEO Mark Hipperson resigns
Hipperson will remain on Ziglu’s board as a part-time non-executive director.
UAE’s central bank launches financial services digital transformation programme
The UAE is aiming to become a “financial and digital payment hub”.
UK building society Nationwide to cut around 450 jobs
Nationwide confirmed it is cutting around 450 jobs as it looks to “streamline” its non-customer-facing teams.
FIS reveals plans to spin off merchant business unit
FIS expects the spin-off to be completed within the next 12 months.
Baiduri Bank taps Finbots.ai to modernise credit risk management
The partnership makes Baiduri the first bank in Brunei to migrate to an AI-led credit risk management solution.
Digital asset exchange Gate.io taps Coinfirm for AML/CFT platform
Gate.io says the Coinfirm partnership will give the firm “a solid foundation” and shore up its compliance.
Ghana’s Fortek partners Codebase for Digibanc platform
It is hoped the partnership will “accelerate digitisation” and boost entrepreneurship in Africa.
Cartoon: À la carte
A new cartoon illustrating how the drop in VC money may result in new fintech start-ups being acquired.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Fierce, Wisor AI, Cenoa & Habitto
Our weekly In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) funding round-up for you to get the latest funding news.
PayPal CEO Dan Schulman to retire by end of 2023
PayPal says it will begin its search for Schulman’s successor imminently.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 10 February 2023
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
Asia Alliance Bank in tech overhaul with Temenos and Foranx
Temenos’ core banking system will be implemented by the vendor’s regional partner, Foranx.
Global Technology Partners names Olaseni Alabede as new CTO
Alabede was previously vice president of product development in Mastercard’s installments business.
Digital asset security firm Coincover bags $30m in funding
The funding will be used to boost recruitment, forge new partnerships and develop new products.
Lunar lands €35m in fresh funding to boost Nordic expansion
Most of Lunar’s existing investors took part in the funding round, the neobank says.
US fintech funding round-up: Wink, Blip, Upwardli and Inkle
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across the US.
Europe fintech funding round-up: Kennek, Mazepay, Uniify and Snab
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news from around the world.
Finzly opens up access to FedNow via API connection
Developers from fintechs and banks can now access the sandbox environment of FedNow via Finzly’s API.
Deutsche Börse inks 10-year strategic partnership deal with Google Cloud
Deutsche Börse will leverage Google Cloud’s capabilities to develop its digital securities platform D7.
UK’s FCA names first members of its new innovation advisory group
The Innovation Advisory Group (IAG) will meet for the first time in February, the FCA says.
