FinTech


Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 29 November 2017

Bitcoin high, Russian firsts, trade finance digitisation, US moves, and an interoperability alliance. Another day of action in the busy blockchain and Bitcoin world. Features Sberbank, IBM, Infosys Finacle, BitFlyer and the Blockchain Interoperability Alliance. Doubt you missed it, but Bitcoin has reached an all time high of $10,000. We were inundated with similar comments […]

Amazon closes cloud performance gap with “bare metal instances”

Amazon Web Services (AWS) kicked off its annual re:Invent conference with a new service designed to make its cloud more competitive to enterprise IT in performance and security, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). EC2 Bare Metal Instances gives enterprises the “best of both worlds,” Peter DeSantis, AWS VP of global infrastructure, said, […]

Payments round-up: 29 November 2017

No quiet days, and no respite from the action. Our latest paytech round-up stars Instarem, Form3, Starling Bank, Optile and Worldpay. Singapore-headquartered start-up Instarem has expanded into Malaysia, “solidifying its presence” in Asia Pacific (APAC). The firm already has individual and corporate customers in Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. Instarem says it has licences in […]

AlphaPoint plans new public blockchain network

AlphaPoint has announced plans to build a new public blockchain network that will enable users to digitise real-world assets and monetise them across new markets, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). The network, dubbed the AlphaPoint Public Network (APN), will be the first public blockchain built based on Intel SGX technology. AlphaPoint will fund […]

Microsoft and SAP expand HANA and Azure partnership

Microsoft and SAP are expanding their current cloud partnership to include additional support for SAP software running on the Azure public cloud. The two companies also plan to use each other’s applications internally, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). The expanded partnership coincides with Microsoft’s biggest rival for public cloud – Amazon Web […]

Bankers and retailers – will we see roles switch? Or simply morph into a single discipline?

Technology is having a tremendous impact on the way communities shop so changes are more or less expected as we see these shopping mall operators push back on so many dire predictions being made about them. But can they change and yes, could these changes lead to a greater overlap with banking as it exists today? Do we even need differentiation between the two and yes, will they both be able to keep us satisfied when it comes to access to our cash?

VMware and Amazon grow hybrid cloud tie-up

VMware and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are expanding their hybrid cloud partnership to run VMware workloads at “very large scale” on AWS, a VMware executive says. VMware is launching new tools for migrating and scaling production applications to AWS, as well as business continuity and disaster recovery services, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister […]

Fintech funding round-up: 28 November 2017

No slowing down when it comes to the fintech funding action and this week we’ve got three of the latest stories for another ever-informative round-up. Featuring MoneyMe, TreasuryXpress and Chip.

BehavioSec’s behavioural biometrics right match for Crossmatch

BehavioSec has partnered with identity management firm Crossmatch in a deal that will add keystroke capture to Crossmatch’s composite authentication platform, DigitalPersona, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). “We selected BehavioSec’s platform because they are singularly focused on behavioural biometrics and have well-established and proven technology that already serves more than 35 million end […]

Debunking six myths on regulatory sandboxes

We are living through a period of unprecedented innovation in finance, and regulators know they need to adapt to keep up with the fast pace of change. To understand and manage the risks posed by new products, services, and business models, many financial authorities are setting up regulatory sandboxes or reglabs.

Wealthtech: a market poised for extended growth

Rapid changes are occurring in the wealth management space and the level of disruption in how advice and capital are managed is only beginning. Wealth management is a monumental industry. The players in the space run the gamut from gigantic hedge funds to individuals who manage their own investments. This changing wealth management landscape is driving a significant uptick in transactions.

Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 24 November 2017

That Friday feeling isn’t complete without another round of the latest blockchain and Bitcoin news! Following on from yesterday (23 November) our latest covers Globitex, Billion and Bitcoin Gold.

Fintech alliance round-up: 23 November 2017

It’s that time again where alliances are formed and friendships are made in our latest co-operative filled round-up. Featuring the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Iran and Malaysia planning to establish banking ties.

Payments round-up: 23 November 2017

Coming straight after yesterday’s (22 November) summary, we present another brief payments round-up. Features Starling Bank and Yoyo Wallet getting loyal; chatty PayPal and Facebook Messenger; token time with Sequent and Interac; and Wirecard working with Capital Float in India. UK challenger bank Starling has teamed with Yoyo Wallet, a mobile payment and loyalty marketing […]

Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 23 November 2017

Following on from the action on Tuesday (21 November), our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up focuses on partnerships and future potential. Featuring BDA, Bitstamp, ModulTrade and Bank of Japan.

ING has a thing for data analytics

ING Wholesale Banking has set out its plans to increase investments in data analytics and put more resources into Asia and the Americas. It’s very early days as its ambitions and goals offer no real specifics. Stats and timelines are like good service in shops in the UK – i.e. almost nowhere to be seen. […]

Forrester: don’t give up on private clouds, yet

For the past several years, private clouds have taken a backseat to the big public cloud providers, with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform sucking up all the oxygen around the conversation of how to manage enterprise infrastructure, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). Now, however, private clouds are […]

Payments round-up: 22 November 2017

Hot on the heels from Monday’s (20 November) round-up, here are more lively adventures in the paytech space. Featuring Manigo powering up; Volante Technologies and eVision in North Africa; and ACI Worldwide and Payworks getting friendly. Digital money platform Manigo has launched. The firm, which is based in London’s tech hub Level39, says it will […]

SumUp teams with BancoEstado for cool mobile card deal in Chile

SMEs in Chile have just won a new ally when it comes to making it easier to accept mobile card payments. The country’s largest national bank, BancoEstado de Chile, has partnered with SumUp to launch a joint venture (JV) that will give Chilean businesses the ability to offer “anytime, anywhere” mobile card acceptance without fees […]

HPE enterprise sales sluggish in Q4

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) saw revenue up 5% year-over-year to $7.8 billion, but it’s having trouble gaining traction with enterprise sales – and its CEO is leaving, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). For the fourth quarter ending 31 October, combined net revenue for HPE was $7.8 billion, including $174 million associated with […]

Interview: Nadish Lad, Volante – destiny and dreams

In an exclusive interview with payment specialist Volante Technologies, Nadish Lad, director – head of payments product, explains the firm’s foundation, vision and its key unique selling propositions (USPs).

Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 21 November 2017

From major crimes to KYC times. Our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up features Tether, Metal, Deutsche Bank and IBM. Digital currency firm Tether is feeling under the weather as it has reported that “funds were improperly removed from the Tether treasury wallet through malicious action by an external attacker”. The amount is a rather large […]

Configo launches cloud environment

Digital sales and engagement firm Configo is taking its technology to the cloud. The company is making its Live Experience Platform – which gives FIs the ability to create customer-centric, personalised digital experiences – available as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). Until now, Configo’s platform was installed on-premise. The new cloud […]

AWS and VMware vs Cisco and Google: a cloud fight worth watching

At one time in the not-so-distant past, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google and VMware all competed against each other in the cloud market space. While AWS and Google succeeded with their cloud ambitions, Cisco, with its Intercloud platform, and VMware, with vCloud Air, failed to gain much traction Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister […]

Payments round-up: 20 November 2017

It pays to pay attention to the pacey payments precinct. Our latest round-up comprises Glint’s golden launch, BillPro’s licence and QR codes in Singapore. Glint, an electronic payment system that enables gold to be used as a currency, has launched its account and app based technology in the UK. Jason Cozens, CEO, Glint, says: “Everyone […]

Fintech funding round-up: 20 November 2017

Coming straight after Friday’s (17 November) fintech funding action, here’s another round-up. Features Xiaomi’s interest in India, Bamboo Capital Partners, First Access, Allied Irish Banks and TransferMate. Chinese phone and appliances maker Xiaomi plans to invest around $1 billion in 100 start-ups in India over the next five years, according to chief executive Lei Jun […]

Faure to fintech – what music can teach us about communicating the benefits of tech

On the surface Handel or Shostakovich seem a world away from the world of finance. Yet, strange as it may seem, the similarities are there. This is because both the mechanics behind music and the technology underpinning the digital transformation are – unless you’ve had first-hand experience of either – pretty abstract concepts to understand.

Dell makes case for cloud “core”

Make another space on your buzzword bingo card, as Dell is talking about the cloud “core”, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). “We decided instead of the edge and the cloud we need one more point – the core,” Jason Shepherd, Dell director of IoT strategy and partnerships tells Enterprise Cloud News. The […]

Multicloud can lead to management nightmare – survey

As enterprises move to a multicloud universe that combines different public and private clouds, the question now becomes how to manage all these competing platforms as the complexity builds? Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication) reports that’s the question at the heart of a study released this week by research firm opinion.life and sponsored […]

Fintech funding round-up: 17 November 2017

Following on from yesterday’s (16 November) fintech funding fun, here’s another summary. Features Flender, Tipigo Ventures, India Accelerator, Kuants, Sumeru and a handy $2 billion in Singapore. Return to Flender. Address known. As reported in May, peer-to-peer lending start-up Flender was seeking to get €1 million in funding and is targeting a UK launch after […]

BNP Paribas and Caple make European SME credit capable

BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) has acquired a 10% stake in European credit provider Caple, allowing for a partnership to offer alternative credit to European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Fintech funding round-up: 16 November 2017

Say it isn’t so, another fintech funding round-up? Of course! It’s busy as always. Here’s the latest news action. Featuring DIFC and its investments, ASEAN seeing a boom with fintechs on the rise, and two firms; Active.ai and PayStand get individual funding too.

All aboard the Amex blockchain payments express

American Express has launched blockchain-enabled, business-to-business cross-border payments with Santander using Ripple’s network. The Amex FX International Payments (FXIP) business is working with Ripple to make blockchain payments commercially available, “reducing the time and cost of settlement”. Santander UK is the selected partner to initiate this new transaction channel. Marc Gordon, EVP and CIO at […]

Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 16 November 2017

Coming straight after yesterday’s (15 November) action, here’s our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up. Features Mastercard in a patent place, ING Bank opening up, and another warning from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Let’s start with yet another patent. Mastercard has jumped on the blockchain payments bandwagon by filing “Method and System for Instantaneous Payment […]