Can Funding Circle stay profitable in 2022? The UK-based alt lender was profitable again for both H2 and the full year, following its first-ever profit in H2 2020.
Acorns shifts product strategy as digital investing flattens out: Personalization and families are the pillars for its new products—bolstered by $300M in fresh funding.
The discount retailer launched bank accounts and debit cards with Incomm Payments, a BNPL pilot with Sezzle, and a rewards redemption program with FIS.
Public adds alternative assets investing: The trading platform is seeking differentiation by acquiring Otis, which offers fractional shares for items like NFTs and sports memorabilia.
The president’s sweeping order on digital assets calls for research into a CBDC.
While banks work to fight fraud, customers are bristling at some of their security measures. Around the world, 35% of banking customers said what irritates them most is that the authentication factors keep changing. Another 24% are most annoyed by their card being declined for legitimate purchases.
Startup investment firm Bain Capital Ventures launched a $560M fund focused exclusively on crypto projects.
Visa and Mastercard’s fee changes are set to arrive in April and could lead to industry pushback or the embrace of alternatives.
Fintech eyes exotic offshoot of crypto derivatives: Cega bagged $4.3M in seed funding ahead of launching an inaugural retail investor product that aims for both an attractive return and downside protection.
Startup promotes saving in US dollars as wealth protection: Bloom aims to help people in Sudan blunt the impacts of inflation and currency weakness on their wealth.