ABN AMRO has reached two milestones in its digital asset and blockchain initiatives, spanning regulatory approval and transaction execution. Its German subsidiary, Hauck Aufhäuser Digital Custody (HADC), has secured authorisation from Germany’s financial regulator BaFin under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). The license allows HADC to provide crypto custody and transaction services to institutional clients within a harmonised EU framework. With the approval, HADC can manage and safeguard crypto assets on behalf of clients and expand its services across Europe. Yorick Naeff, Head of Innovation at ABN AMRO from 1 February 2026, said: Yorick Naeff “Executing our first international over-the-counter SDC trade and securing a pan-European MiCAR license underscores ABN AMRO’s commitment to embedding digital innovation into our service offering.” Separately, ABN AMRO completed its first international over-the-counter derivative transaction using a Smart Derivative Contract (SDC) in collaboration with DZ Bank. The fully automated transaction ran for 10 days, executing valuation, settlement, and collateral management on distributed ledger technology. Daily payments flowed through SEPA and updated the smart contract in real time. Matthias Bergner, Head of Treasury at DZ Bank, said: Matthias Bergner “With the first international SDC transaction, we have taken a decisive step toward establishing the SDC as an industry-wide standard for the digital settlement of OTC derivatives.” Smart Derivative Contracts are designed to automate the full lifecycle of derivative trades, using pre-agreed market data and valuation models to reduce operational complexity and counterparty risk.     Featured image credit: ABN AMRO The post ABN AMRO Gains MiCAR License, Executes First Smart Derivative Trade appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

On average, Swiss venture capital (VC) funds allocate 30% of their capital to Swiss startups, indicating that the majority of their investments are still directed abroad, according to new research by the University of Basel, Swiss Private Equity and Corporate Finance Association (SECA), and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland. The US is currently the largest recipient, attracting 31% of Swiss VC capital, while Germany and the UK receive smaller shares of 15% and 6%, respectively. Despite this, the figure represents an improvement from previous years. Between 2014 and 2023, only 19% of the total capital invested by Swiss VC remained in Switzerland, with 37% of funds going to US startups and 9% each to startups in the UK and Germany, according a Startupticker.ch report. This overseas bias reflects a long-standing structural trend. Switzerland has a small domestic market with a limited number of startups that can scale to very large outcomes, prompting investors to deploy capital in larger markets that offer deeper pools of high-growth companies and more repeat founders. Furthermore, exit opportunities tend to be more attractive abroad, as Switzerland has relatively few technology initial public offerings (IPOs) and a smaller venture-driven M&A market compared to the likes of the US and the UK. These environments provide clearer and larger exit paths, which are critical for VC fund performance. Finally, many founders with Swiss backgrounds move abroad to scale their companies or incorporate in countries like the US or UK. Swiss VC funds often continue to back these teams even though these companies are no longer based in Switzerland. Swiss VC funds targets and performance The report by the University of Basel, Swiss Private Equity and Corporate Finance Association (SECA), and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland analyzed cashflow data from 18 leading Swiss VC firms managing more than 40 funds with over CHF 3.5 billion in committed capital. It examines the performance of these funds, their returns, and their investment focus. Results show that the median Swiss VC fund manages a portfolio of around 17 companies, with an average investment of CHF 2.7 million per company. Sectoral priorities are information and communications technology (ICT), including fintech, and healthtech, which accounts for 35% of deployed capital by Swiss VCs, making it the top sector, followed by cleantech and energy at 29%, and medtech and diagnostics at 19%. Swiss VCs’ investment strategy, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Fund Return Study, University of Basel, Swiss Private Equity and Corporate Finance Association (SECA), and Deep Tech Nation Switzerland, Dec 2025 The research also assessed fund performance relative to the European Venture Capital Benchmark maintained by the European Investment Fund (EIF) and BlackRock. It found that overall, Swiss VC funds perform on part with the European Benchmark. More notably, Swiss funds with vintage years between 2020 and 2024 outperformed the European Benchmark on both the internal rate of return (IRR) and the total value to paid-in capital (TVPI) measures. IRR is a financial metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment or project. This metric stands at 12% for Swiss funds versus 2% for the European Benchmark. TVPI measures the total value generated by an investment relative to the capital invested. This metric stands at 1.3x for Swiss VCs versus 1.1x for the EIF Benchmark. Swiss Venture Capital Returns versus European Investment Fund VC Performance Benchmark, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Fund Return Study, Dec 2025 Swiss VC funds outlook Despite some challenges, Switzerland maintains a vibrant VC landscape, with about 50 funds available for investment in 2024, according to the Swiss Venture Capital Report by Startupticker.ch. Sentiment among investors, however, remains mixed. A survey of about 100 investor companies revealed that nearly half (49%) of participants expect fundraising conditions to deteriorate further over the next 12 months, up significantly from 27% a year earlier. At the same time, an equally large share anticipates improvement, an encouraging sign for investors planning to return to the fundraising market in the near term. Expected fundraising environment development over 12 months, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch Findings further points to cautious optimism regarding investment opportunities. Around 88% of respondents expect more investment opportunities over the next 12 months, higher than 86% in 2024, while 72% anticipate an increase in new investments. Assessment of number of new investments, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Thiago de Andrade via Unsplash The post Swiss VC Funds Invest 30% Locally, Favor US Startups, New Research Finds appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday (19 December) that the ECB has completed its technical and preparatory work on the digital euro, leaving the next steps to political institutions. The project, designed to create a public digital means of payment, is currently under review by the European Council and the European Parliament. Lagarde made the remarks during the ECB’s final press conference of the year, where policymakers kept the eurozone’s key interest rates unchanged. She reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to a meeting-by-meeting approach to rate decisions, stating they will be based on “incoming economic and financial data,” the inflation outlook, and how effectively policy is working. Christine Lagarde “We are not pre-committing to a particular rate path,” she said, noting that inflation remains on track to return to the ECB’s 2% target by 2028. Revised projections show headline inflation averaging 2.1% in 2025, falling below target in 2026 and 2027, before returning to 2.0% in 2028 (CoinDesk). While monetary policy remains steady, Lagarde highlighted the digital euro as a strategic priority for Europe’s financial future. “Our ambition is to make sure that in the digital age there is a currency that is the anchor of stability for the financial system,” she said, urging EU institutions to move quickly to adopt the digital euro regulation. ECB board member Piero Cipollone added that a digital euro could ensure continuity of payments during cyberattacks or power outages that disrupt traditional banking infrastructure. The digital euro is expected to launch in the second half of 2026, aligning with the timeline of other euro-backed stablecoin initiatives regulated under Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Who is Danny via Freepik The post ECB Completes Digital Euro Preparations, Urges Political Action appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The Abacus Research subsidiary Abacus Services is selling its business operations to Axept Business Software. The move strengthens Abacus’s partner network in the French-speaking region of Switzerland and supports continued growth in a dynamic market. For over ten years, Abacus Services has operated as a distribution partner in the region, successfully implementing Abacus Business Software in more than 200 companies. From 1 April 2026, its operations will be managed within Axept as a new business unit, Abacus Suisse Romande. Axept aims to maintain a consistent and comprehensive service portfolio across Switzerland. By outsourcing its consulting operations, Abacus Research is restructuring the West Swiss partner network and giving Axept broader access to strategic sectors. Abacus Services is particularly strong in the construction-related sector, where Axept also has expertise. The expansion will allow Axept to serve companies in the French-speaking region more effectively. All employees and clients of Abacus Services SA will join Axept, ensuring continuity and enabling the company to extend its solution portfolio locally. Daniel Senn, Chairman of Abacus Services, said: Daniel Senn “Abacus Services has developed very well and has significant potential. In partnership with Axept, this potential can be utilised more effectively. We are confident that the new structure will provide clear benefits for our clients, employees, and the West Swiss market.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by pressfoto via Freepik The post Abacus Services Operations Sold to Axept Business Software appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Lovable, a Sweden-based platform that enables non-technical users to create software and digital products, has raised US$330 million in a Series B round. The round was led by CapitalG and Menlo Ventures’ Anthology fund, bringing its valuation to US$6.6 billion. Other participants include corporate venture arms NVentures, Salesforce Ventures, Databricks Ventures, T.Capital, Atlassian Ventures, and HubSpot Ventures. Khosla Ventures, DST Global, EQT Growth, Kinship Ventures, and returning investors Accel, Creandum, and Evantic also joined the round. Lovable’s platform allows users across enterprises and startups to create functioning products without coding. Organisations such as Klarna and Deutsche Telekom have used Lovable to accelerate development cycles, streamline prototyping, and reduce time-to-market. The platform has supported the creation of over 25 million projects in its first year, with more than 100,000 new projects built daily. Users range from product managers and marketers to healthcare professionals and founders building new businesses, including AI-powered fashion platform Lumoo and healthcare staffing solution ShiftNex. The latest funding will allow Lovable to deepen integrations with tools such as Notion, Linear, Jira, and Miro, enhance collaboration and governance for enterprise teams, and expand infrastructure to support products moving from prototype to production.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by jcomp via Freepik The post Sweden’s Lovable Raises $330M Series B at $6.6B Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Regnology has signed an exclusive agreement to acquire Moody’s Regulatory Reporting & Asset-Liability Management (ALM) Solutions business. The acquisition includes solutions supporting Basel III compliance, IFRS 9 impairment accounting, asset-liability management for large banks, Solvency II insurance reporting, and prudential and statistical regulatory reporting across more than 50 jurisdictions. The transaction will see Moody’s regulatory capital, liquidity, and ALM capabilities integrated into Regnology’s existing regulatory, risk, tax, and finance reporting portfolio. The combined offering aims to provide financial institutions with a single platform to address regulatory compliance and risk management requirements across jurisdictions. A key component of the integration is Regnology Risk Hub (RRiskHub), which brings together regulatory reporting, risk analytics, capital and liquidity management, and ALM functionality. The platform supports institutions in managing risk measurement and reporting within a unified framework. RRiskHub uses the Regnology Granular Data (RGD) model to support data consistency, auditability, and scalability across regulatory and risk functions. It operates on Regnology’s cloud-based infrastructure and includes automation and analytics to support oversight and decision-making by risk and finance teams. Rob Mackay, Chief Executive Officer of Regnology, said: Rob Mackay “This acquisition strengthens our shared commitment to deliver transformative value and help Chief Risk Officers and Chief Financial Officers navigate an increasingly complex landscape with confidence.” Andrew Bockelman, Head of Banking Solutions at Moody’s, said: Andrew Bockelman “We are grateful for the work of our teams that have built these solutions over the years, and we are confident they are joining an organisation that will continue to provide strong service to customers and opportunities for employees. Moody’s will continue to focus on its core lending, credit modelling, KYC, financial crime, portfolio risk, and data-driven solutions.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Regnology to Acquire Moody’s Regulatory Reporting Unit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

UBS, Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB) and Raiffeisen are identified as Switzerland’s three most prominent, trusted, and reputable banks by leading generative artificial intelligence (genAI) apps, according to a new research by the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ). The study, conducted in October 2025, measures the so-called “AI visibility” of banks in Switzerland, assessing how brands and institutions appear in genAI responses and providing a comparative analysis of Swiss banks’ performance. The report also distills key insights from these findings, identifying success factors and offering recommendations to help banks enhance their visibility in AI systems. The research found that UBS, ZKB and Raiffeisen dominate the ranking, forming the “cornerstone” of the Swiss banking sector in genAI apps. These banks are mentioned regularly in ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, and constantly appear across nearly all queries for either the largest banks in Switzerland, those the most suitable for private customers, or the most reliable institutions. Neon, Yuh lead digital banking The study also examined digital accounts and mobile banking apps, identifying Neon and Yuh as the market leaders within genAI systems. These brands are associated with simplicity, innovation, and Swiss security. Neon is a Swiss neobank which operates a mobile‑first digital banking platform, offering customers a smartphone app to open and manage a bank account with a linked Mastercard. Neon is not a bank per se but works with the Swiss Hypothekarbank Lenzburg to provide Swiss deposit‑protected accounts. The company is said to serve about 237,000 customers. Similarly, Yuh is a digital banking platform providing banking, payments, saving, and investing services. Owned by Swissquote, Yuh has grown rapidly, reaching over 340,000 users and profitability within four years. In addition to Neon and Yuh, genAI results also highlight UBS and ZKB as established banks with solid mobile solutions. ZKB is perceived as a stable digital bridge between traditional banking and innovation, positioned as a stable digital all-rounder. UBS, meanwhile, is generally viewed as suitable for mobile use, though somewhat less customer-centric. In particular, ChatGPT and Perplexity portrayed the bank as an established but less agile provider, while Gemini highlighted UBS as the “most digital bank of 2025”, citing a study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences (HSLU) and e.foresight. This suggests a stronger use of external sources by Gemini, while ChatGPT and Perplexity relied primarily on customer reviews and app ratings. Differences between genAI systems The report also highlights notable differences among AI systems. ChatGPT was found to adopt a more narrative and customer-oriented approach, defining customer suitability through trust, accessibility, and everyday usability, while evaluating size through function and customer relationships. Gemini, meanwhile, takes a more data-driven, ranking-based approach, equating suitability with market strength, awards, and reputation. Notably, Gemini was the only AI system to mention Appenzell Cantonal Bank (APPKB) as among the most reliable banks in Switzerland. The bank had received several awards in media rankings for above-average customer satisfaction and service quality. Perplexity takes a source-rich, reputation-focused approach, relying heavily on customer satisfaction metrics and external evaluations. It integrates ratings and media references, and demonstrates the widest coverage, emphasizing diversity of sources. Perplexity also provided the most differentiated response to the most suitable banks for private customers, naming Raiffeisen, ZKB, Bank Cler, and Migros Bank, and emphasizing empirical evidence. Overall, these results highlight discrepancies between genAI applications, and underscore the wide range of factors these systems take into consideration when formulating responses. This means that AI visibility depends not only on economic size and financial metrucs but also on content availability, media presence, and clear positioning. Recommendations for Swiss Banks These findings suggest that visibility in traditional search rankings is no longer sufficient and must be complemented by recommendations and references in AI-generated responses. They also underscore the rising prominence of genAI apps in shaping public perception, brand awareness, and reputational standing within the financial sector. Against this backdrop, the IFZ report outlines several recommendations for strengthening AI visibility, including developing clear semantic positioning for key topics, whether that’s sustainability, youth banking, and digital investments, and ensuring that offerings are aligned with personas, not just products. It also advises banks to focus on maintaining consistent online communication across websites, media, and third-party platforms. In addition, IFZ recommends leveraging external validation, such as ratings, awards, studies, which are often used by AI systems as reference points, and optimizing content for AI readability, including structured data and clear language. GenAI apps like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, are rapidly becoming preferred channels for researching information, products and services. Instead of just entering keywords into a search engine, users are now asking complete questions to genAI systems, expecting clear recommendations. A recent Claneo study found that about 30% of German Internet users regularly use genAI for research and decision-making, especially younger demographics aged 18 to 35. While Google still dominates complex information research with a 40.29% market share, AI chatbots have already captured 38.55%, and AI-powered search engines 28.09%. These figures underscore the fact that digitally-savvy consumers are increasingly turning to AI systems when making financial decisions. What do you mainly use the platforms for? Source: Search Study 2025, Claneo, 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on images by alexgolovinphotography and iuriimotov via Freepik The post Who Are the Leading Swiss Banks in GenAI Visibility? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Juspay has partnered with Visa to implement Click to Pay across Brazilian e-commerce platforms. The collaboration aims to address two common challenges in online retail: high cart abandonment rates caused by complex checkout processes, and the need for secure transaction methods. Click to Pay, based on the EMV Secure Remote Commerce (SRC) standard, allows consumers to complete purchases without manually entering card numbers, expiry dates, or security codes. Visa cardholders can finalise transactions with a single click, using tokenised credentials, across devices and merchants. Juspay’s platform supports the integration by providing merchants with a single, streamlined system. This simplified checkout process can help improve conversion rates. The solution also incorporates advanced biometric authentication, such as passkeys, to enhance transaction security. Leandro Garcia “Brazil is a priority market for Visa, and e-commerce growth here depends directly on consumer trust,” said Leandro Garcia, Product Director at Visa in Brazil. “Click to Pay is our answer for a payment that is both agile and secure. The partnership with Juspay ensures this innovation reaches the Brazilian market with the scale, agility, and technical excellence that merchants and consumers demand.” Shakthidhar Bhaskar “We’re proud to have Visa as a partner on this journey to optimise digital commerce,” said Shakthidhar Bhaskar, LATAM Expansion Director at Juspay. “By integrating Visa Click to Pay into our platform, we’re not just adding a feature; we’re removing the last major barrier between consumer desire and the completed sale for merchants.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by tahantanha10 via Freepik The post Juspay, Visa Collaborate to Simplify Online Payments in Brazil appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Monzo has secured a full banking license from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), enabling the UK-based digital bank to expand into European markets and advance its international ambitions. Founded in 2015 and fully regulated in the UK since 2017, Monzo has become a well-known digital banking provider. According to FF News, it serves more than 14 million personal customers and over 800,000 businesses. The bank has developed a range of digital tools aimed at helping customers manage their finances more effectively. The approval makes Monzo the first digital bank fully regulated by the CBI, paving the way for its initial expansion in Ireland. The company has established its European headquarters in Dublin and is building a local team to support its operations. Michael Carney, EU CEO at Monzo, said: Michael Carney “Monzo has already proven that by combining the trust of a regulated bank with cutting-edge technology, we can truly transform people’s relationship with money. Today marks a significant step forward in our global mission to make money work for everyone.” Monzo’s savings account allows users to deposit from as little as €1 and offers a variable interest rate of 1.6%, significantly above the average overnight deposit rate in Ireland. Business accounts provide digital onboarding, automated tax management, integrated invoicing, and real-time financial visibility. All accounts are supported by technology designed for reliability, fraud prevention, and security, with access to customer support 24/7, either through the app or by phone.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by satapornc via Freepik The post Monzo Receives ECB and Irish Banking License for European Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Nuvei has announced that it has received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), allowing it to operate within the EU’s new harmonised regulatory framework for crypto assets. The MiCAR authorisation enables Nuvei to provide regulated crypto-asset services across the European Union and to passport those services across member states under a single regulatory regime. This removes the need for separate national approvals and simplifies expansion for merchants and platforms seeking to offer crypto-enabled payment and settlement services in multiple European markets. Under the license, Nuvei can offer crypto-asset services including the storage and administration of cryptocurrencies, the transfer of crypto assets, and the exchange of crypto assets into funds. Nuvei integrates these services into its existing global payments infrastructure, allowing crypto-related transactions to operate alongside traditional payment methods. Philip Fayer “This authorisation marks an important milestone in the convergence of payments and digital assets,” said Phil Fayer, Chair and CEO of Nuvei. “MiCAR brings long-needed regulatory clarity to Europe. Operating under this framework allows us to help customers move value across crypto and traditional payment rails with confidence, consistency, and scale.” In parallel with the MiCAR authorisation, Nuvei has also obtained a Payment Institution license. This enables the company to provide services related to electronic money tokens (EMTs). Together, the two licences allow Nuvei to support crypto-asset, EMT, and fiat-based payment and settlement flows through a single, regulated platform. For customers, this provides simplified access to crypto payments across Europe. It also enables compliant fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transactions, as well as faster and more transparent settlement options. The combined regulatory coverage also reduces the operational and compliance complexity associated with scaling across multiple EU jurisdictions. Nuvei stated that it will serve both business clients and retail users under the new framework. Retail users will have access to straightforward crypto services. Nuvei will support business customers with solutions designed for efficient settlements and crypto acceptance. It will also integrate blockchain-based fund movements into broader payment, payout, and treasury workflows.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by watercolor_vect via Freepik The post Nuvei Secures EU MiCAR CASP License appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Urs Rhyner will join Inventx’s Executive Board on 1 January 2026 as head of the Business Development & Sales division, which brings together Strategy, InventxLab, Product Portfolio Management, Marketing, Sales, and Process Management. Inventx, an IT and digitalisation partner for financial and insurance service providers in Switzerland, is aligning its organisation with industry growth and customer needs. The new division aims to link business strategy with market requirements more closely. Rhyner has been with Inventx since 2016 in roles including sales, product management, and head of the InventxLab. He previously worked on strategy projects in corporate development at Swisscom’s Enterprise Customers division, led service delivery management for the financial sector, and was part of the SAP division management team. He studied business administration and completed postgraduate studies at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). Emanuele Diquattro “By consolidating our market-oriented functions, we are strengthening Inventx’s innovative capacity and customer focus. Urs Rhyner is not only a proven industry expert with extensive experience, but he has also known Inventx and its values for many years. He therefore brings the right profile to lead this key area and to consistently focus on the industry-specific needs of our customers,” said Emanuele Diquattro, CEO of Inventx.       Featured image credit: Inventx The post Urs Rhyner Appointed to Inventx Executive Board appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Deutsche Bank and Postbank are now offering clients the full functionality of the Wero digital payment app. From the start of this week, customers of both banks can send and receive money in real time across Europe and make payments at participating online merchants. Postbank clients, who have been able to transfer funds to personal contacts via Wero since November 2024, now also have access to the app’s e-commerce functionality. Dominik Hennen “Following the successful launch at Postbank, we are very pleased to offer the full range of Wero’s functions at Deutsche Bank and Postbank,” said Dominik Hennen, Head of Personal Banking at Deutsche Bank. “Wero is a decisive step towards a unified European payment landscape. We offer our clients an innovative solution that simplifies private and e-commerce payments even across national borders.” The European Payments Initiative (EPI) has operated Wero since July 2024, enabling customers to transfer money instantly without entering IBAN or BIC, with all transactions linked directly to their current accounts. The app’s functionality will continue to expand, with future plans including subscription management, payments at physical points of sale, instalment payments, merchant loyalty integration, and tools for managing shared expenses. Deutsche Bank and Postbank plan to integrate Wero into their mobile apps at a later stage.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by smth.design via Freepik The post Deutsche Bank, Postbank Launch Full Wero Payment App Functions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

A team of investment experts with over 15 years’ experience in funding businesses has launched Aneli Capital, a €35 million fund to support early-stage startups in the Baltics, Poland, and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. The fund will focus primarily on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as robotics, space, photonics, and energy, with the aim of helping startups develop and attract follow-on investment. CEE startups are gaining recognition internationally, but they continue to face challenges such as limited funding and slower scaling compared with their Western counterparts. Aneli Capital intends to address these issues by providing capital alongside rapid decision-making and founder-friendly terms. Daiva Rakauskaitė “Many investors lean in when a sector becomes fashionable and step back once the hype fades. We don’t work that way. We are going to look beyond hype cycles and focus on companies that build real products, attract paying customers early, and prove their economics,” said Daiva Rakauskaitė, CFA, Partner and Fund Manager. “Our goal is to be the partner that stays for the full journey, not just the exciting part at the beginning.” Other partners include Nerijus Baliūnas, who leads business development and strategy; Jacek Blonski, responsible for deep tech, networking and negotiations; and Sabina Sinicienė, Investment Director. The team has extensive experience in the investment sector, having managed Business Angel Fund II and co-founded both the Lithuanian Venture Capital Association and the Lithuanian Business Angel Network (LitBAN). Aneli Capital plans to make around 20 investments over the next five years, with an average of €1.5 million per startup, and expects to fund eight companies next year while exiting others from previous funds. More than half of the fund will target Lithuanian startups, with the remainder supporting ventures in Latvia, Estonia, Poland and other CEE countries. The fund is partly financed by the National Lithuanian Development Bank ILTE and the fund of Warsaw-listed Magna Polonia, with plans to attract additional investors.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by DC Studio via Freepik The post Aneli Capital Launches €35M Fund to Support CEE Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Revolut has begun rolling out Revolut Mobile to waitlist users, with general access planned for January 2026. Customers who join before 30 March can access an early-bird rate of £12.50 per month. The plan offers unlimited 5G data, calls, and texts in the UK, with 20GB of roaming in Europe and the US. Revolut Mobile lets users manage their plan entirely within the Revolut app, activating it quickly while keeping their existing number or choosing a new one. Powered by Gigs, the operating system for mobile services, the service delivers coverage across the UK and abroad. The service includes features designed to support travel and personal organisation. Messaging Pass allows low-bandwidth data for messaging and certain apps in over 80 countries outside the EEA and the US. Customers can have up to three numbers on a single plan, starting from £2 extra per month, to separate work and personal use or limit exposure to merchants. VIP numbers are available for £10 per month. All plans include a NordVPN subscription for secure connections. Revolut’s loyalty programme, RevPoints, can be used to pay for or reduce the cost of a plan. Hadi Nasrallah, General Manager, Telco at Revolut, said: Hadi Nasrallah “Our goal is simple: offer the best service, at the best price, leveraging the best user experience. We’re bringing true innovation with features such as multiple numbers & global messaging, while removing any hassle or hidden fees from the process.” Hermann Frank, CEO and co-founder at Gigs, added: Hermann Frank “Revolut Mobile represents the breakthrough we envisioned when founding Gigs: the world’s most advanced phone plan, available at a tap and powered by our global connectivity platform. This launch demonstrates the versatility of our operating system and marks a turning point in the UK telecom market.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Revolut Launches Mobile Service for UK Customers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Visa has launched USDC settlement in the US, advancing its stablecoin settlement pilot program and efforts to modernise its settlement infrastructure. US issuer and acquirer partners can now settle with Visa using Circle’s USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-backed stablecoin. USDC settlement allows issuers to move funds faster over blockchains, access seven-day availability, and maintain operational resilience during weekends and holidays, without affecting the consumer card experience. Initial participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, which have begun settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain. Wider availability in the US is expected in 2026. Visa is also a design partner for Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain from Circle currently in public testnet. Arc is intended to provide the performance and scalability needed to support Visa’s on-chain commercial activity. Visa plans to use Arc for USDC settlement within its network and operate a validator node when the blockchain goes live. Rubail Birwadker “Financial institutions are looking for faster, programmable settlement options that integrate seamlessly with their existing treasury operations,” s aid Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships at Visa. “By bringing USDC settlement to the US, Visa is delivering a reliable, bank-ready capability that improves treasury efficiency while maintaining security, compliance, and resiliency standards.” Visa’s US stablecoin settlement framework offers seven-day settlement windows, modernized liquidity and treasury management, and interoperability between traditional payment rails and blockchain infrastructure. The US launch builds on Visa’s global stablecoin pilots across Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and CEMEA, which reached an annualized US$3.5 billion run rate in monthly settlement volume as of November 2025.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm and Dang Pham via Freepik The post Visa Launches USDC Settlement in the US appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

In the Swiss financial services sector, formal blockchain strategies have become standard practice and cryptocurrency services are now live, a new study by the Center for Financial Services Innovation at the University of St. Gallen, ACK, mintminds, PwC and vision&, found. This underscores the country’s transition from blockchain experimentation to operational maturity. The study, which polled 28 banks and financial service providers in Switzerland in Q3 2025, found that blockchain projects are no longer isolated innovation projects. Instead, they are now embedded into corporate strategies, governance, and budgeting processes, reflecting a shift from innovation hubs to core business functions. In 2025, 86% of the banks surveyed have a blockchain strategy in place or in progress, up 28 points from the 2024 edition of the study. This formalization is further evidenced by the increased priority at the highest levels of management: 64% of banks now classify blockchain as a “high” or “medium” priority, a significant rise from 42% in the previous year. Crypto offerings as the most available blockchain products As blockchain adoption matures, Swiss financial institutions have moved into commercial execution, especially in the areas of cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, which are now the most developed and commercially viable application. Overall, 61% of respondents have launched crypto offerings, primarily custody and trading services, while 25% have launched tokenized asset products. Among institutions that have not yet launched such offerings, many plan to do so. About 15% of surveyed banks intend to introduce crypto services, while 33% plan to launch tokenized asset products. These findings indicate that Swiss banks initially prioritized crypto offerings, successfully bringing products to market. They are now working on products related to tokenized assets, with most of these initiatives remaining in development. Development status and priotirity of blockchain offerings, Source: 2025 Blockchain Pulse Survey, University of St. Gallen, ACK, mintminds, PwC and vision&, Dec 2025 While Swiss banks are eagerly embracing tokenized assets, institutions reported several challenges hindering development. Compliance and regulations are currently the leading obstacle, cited by 35% of respondents in 2025. This suggests that institutions are no longer questioning the relevance of tokenization but are working to ensure that the technology fits within existing governance, reporting, and risk frameworks. The second most cited challenge was the lack of business priority (24%), indicating that tokenization has not yet reached the top of the strategic agenda for many institutions. Other key obstacles include the lack of customer interest (12%), highlighting the fact that demand from end-clients remains moderate, as well as integration into business processes (12%), reflecting ongoing technological challenges and the fact that many banks are still working on harmonizing their internal systems and data flows to support tokenized issuance, settlement, and reconciliation. Challenges and concerns regarding tokenized assets, Source: 2025 Blockchain Pulse Survey, University of St. Gallen, ACK, mintminds, PwC and vision&, Dec 2025 Stablecoins become the new strategic priority As crypto and tokenization initiatives advance, Swiss financial institutions are increasingly turning their attention to stablecoins. The study shows that approximately 55% of respondents with a productive or planned crypto offering intend to offer stablecoin services. These organizations are prioritizing settlement mechanisms (65%), programmable payments (36%), collateral in digital financial markets (35%), and retail applications (14%). Swiss banks believe that an urgent, clearly structured, and proactive regulatory framework for a DLT-based Swiss franc is no longer merely a “nice to have”. Instead, it is a critical issue of national competitive advantage. In fact, 75% of respondents believe that Switzerland is “acting too cautiously”, potentially eroding its innovation leadership. This places Switzerland at a competitive disadvantage relative to the passportable Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework in the European Union (EU). In addition, 61% cited insufficient regulatory or political support to stablecoins, further raising concerns about long-term legal certainty, scalability, and Switzerland’s ability to remain a leading hub for digital-asset innovation. Switzerland’s position regarding stablecoins, Source: 2025 Blockchain Pulse Survey, University of St. Gallen, ACK, mintminds, PwC and vision&, Dec 2025 Despite strong supply-side interest, doubts remain regarding market adoption. 68% of respondents cited the lack of demand for stablecoins as the top challenge regarding a DLT-based Swiss franc, highlighting a disconnect between institutional readiness and potential adoption by Swiss consumers and businesses. Regulatory uncertainty is another major obstacle, cited by 64% of respondents. This suggests that despite existing DLT legislation, uncertainty persists, most likely around issuance models, supervision, and cross-border usability. Challenges and concerns regarding DLT-based Swiss franc, Source: 2025 Blockchain Pulse Survey, University of St. Gallen, ACK, mintminds, PwC and vision&, Dec 2025 Demand for blockchain talent surges Evidence of accelerated commitment to blockchain within the Swiss financial services industry is the growth in dedicated personnel. One-third of all surveyed institutions now employ more than ten full-time equivalents (FTEs) in blockchain-focused roles. This shows increased investment in specialized talent compared. In 2024, about 26% of the banks surveyed for the study had more than 10 FTEs positions dedicated exclusively to blockchain topics. This marks a remarkable 7-point year-over-year (YoY) increase. However, the study shows a concentration of expertise within a few larger institutions, underscoring a growing imbalance where most smaller banks still lack in-house blockchain talent. Full-time equivalents (FTEs) in blockchain area per industry, Source: 2025 Blockchain Pulse Survey, University of St. Gallen, ACK, mintminds, PwC and vision&, Dec 2025 In recent years, the demand for blockchain expertise has grown significantly. SkillPanel, a human resources (HR) tech startup, reported that demand for blockchain-skilled professionals grew by 552% in 2022. According to Bitget, a leading crypto exchange and Web3 company, the global blockchain workforce could grow from approximately 300,000 today to over 1.5 million by 2030 if adoption of the technology follows a trajectory similar to artificial intelligence (AI).   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on images by osikugamen and EyeEm via Freepik The post Blockchain Reaches Operational Maturity at Swiss Banks, with Stablecoins Becoming the New Strategic Priority appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Though stablecoins offer potential benefits, including greater increased efficiency in payments, and expanded access to digital finance through increased competition, they also pose significant risks which must be addressed through appropriate regulations and global regulatory coordination, a new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says. The report, released in December 2025, offers a comprehensive view of stablecoins, discussing market developments, use cases, potential benefits, and associated risks. Macrofinancial stability It notes that while stablecoins are designed to maintain a fixed value, these digital currencies can still fluctuate because their backing assets and management are exposed to market, liquidity, credit and governance problems. If reserve assets lose value, are illiquid, or are poorly managed, the stablecoin can trade below its intended peg, undermining confidence and the idea that money should have a single, stable value. During periods of stress, limited or uncertain redemption rights can push holders to sell quickly on secondary markets, creating first-mover advantages and potential runs. Large sell-offs may force issuers to liquidate reserve assets at distressed prices, further weakening the stablecoin and amplifying volatility. Disruption of reserve asset markets The IMF also highlights the risk that large-scale adoption of stablecoins could disrupt key financial markets, especially those for short-term government debt like US Treasury bills. Currently, stablecoins hold about 2% of outstanding US Treasury bills, far less than the share held by money market funds. However, if stablecoins grow to become as sizable as some private sector forecasts indicate, yields in the Treasury bill market could be compressed, potentially altering money market dynamics. More critically, during stablecoin runs, fire sales of the underlying reserve assets could occur, impairing market functioning. Severe impairment in these markets could require intervention by the central bank, and negatively impact the ability of the government to raise funds. Currency substitution Widespread adoption of stablecoin could also facilitate currency substitution, undermining monetary sovereignty and hindering the ability of a government to exercise full control over its own currency and monetary policy. In particular, if a significant share of economic activity were to shift to foreign currency-denominated stablecoins, a central bank’s control over domestic liquidity and interest rates could weaken the transmission of monetary policy. Financial integrity The report also highlights risks relating to financial integrity. Without proper regulation, stablecoins, like other cryptocurrencies, can be misused to commit serious crimes, such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, owing to their pseudonymous nature, low transaction costs, and ease of cross-border use. Stablecoins can be transacted through unhosted wallets that fall outside any regulatory perimeter. This allows them to circumvent customer due diligence, sanctions screening, recordkeeping, and suspicious transaction reporting. The speed and irreversibility of blockchain-based transactions further complicate efforts by law enforcement agencies to investigate, trace, or confiscate illicit transactions involving stablecoins. Safety and cyber risks Beyond macrofinancial concerns and financial integrity, the IMF report also highlights risks related to safety and cyber risks. Stablecoin users face operational risks from flawed processes, system failures, human errors, governance lapses, data breaches, and other external disruptions. Smart contracts, in particular, may include coding errors and security flaws, leading to unauthorized transfers or loss of funds. Custodial wallets may be connected to the Internet and thus face cyber risks, while noncustodial wallets require advanced operational safeguards and still expose users to the risk of losing their private keys. Legal uncertainty Finally, legal uncertainty represents another major risk. A key challenge is the absence of a clear legal classification of stablecoins. Under private law, stablecoins may be categorized as intangible properties or contractual claims, while under financial law, they may be categorized as deposits, e-money, securities, or commodities. Stablecoins can also pose legal risks in the event of an issuer or custodian’s insolvency. In such cases, stablecoin holders may be treated as unsecured creditors rather than having claims over reserve assets. To reduce this risk, strong requirements are needed to ensure that reserve assets are clearly segregated from the issuer’s own funds. In addition, clear legal authority is needed for a swift and orderly insolvency regime tailored for stablecoin issuers and custodians, including mechanisms to ensure that stablecoin holders are repaid promptly. Legal risks are further amplified with the use of new technologies and in cross-border settings. The use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) introduces new questions regarding applicable law, asset ownership, and the enforceability of rights, while smart contracts bring about uncertainty over legal attribution and validity. Need for international collaboration The IMF report notes that while regulatory frameworks and standards for stablecoins are emerging to tackle these risks, the global landscape remains fragmented. In particular, approaches in jurisdictions including Japan, the European Union (EU), the US, and the UK differ in several important areas, including the type of entities allowed to issue stablecoins, approaches toward foreign stablecoin issuers, as well as segregation and custody requirements. These differences create opportunities for regulatory arbitrage which can affect the overall effectiveness of these regulations. Furthermore, the cross-border nature of stablecoins complicates oversight, underscoring the need for strong collaboration, both nationally and internationally.  As stablecoins continue integrate into the global financial system, the IMF urges policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to work together to ensure that the potential benefits of stablecoins materialize while mitigating increasing risks. Such collaboration, the report says, is critical to create a resilient and inclusive financial ecosystem that supports innovative financial solutions and economic growth. The state of stablecoins Stablecoins have captured widespread attention in recent months, owing to their rapid growth. The market now exceeds US$280 billion, accounting for roughly 8% of the total cryptocurrency asset market. This market is led by Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), two US dollar-denominated stablecoins which account for US$184 billion (63%) and US$75 billion (26%) of stablecoin market capitalization, respectively. Euro-denominated stablecoins, by contrast, remain relatively small, totaling only around EUR 395 million, according to the European Central Bank. However, recent regulatory clarity, including the full implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in the EU at the end of 2024, has been a key driver of their emerging growth. Stablecoin market capitalization, Source: Financial Stability Review, European Central Bank, Nov 2025 At present, cryptocurrency trading is the largest use case for stablecoins, allowing traders to move seamlessly between digital assets, manage risk, and lock in gains. However, new use cases are emerging, with growing adoption across cross-border payments, peer-to-peer (P2P) remittances, and business-to-business (B2B) payments. Mesta, for example, is an American startup providing a cross-border payments platform combining traditional real-time fiat payment systems with blockchain-based stablecoin rails. Infinite is a global B2B stablecoin payments infrastructure venture enabling businesses and developers to integrate fast, low-cost cross-border money movement using stablecoins.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Stablecoins Present Both Opportunities and Risks, Requiring Appropriate Regulation and Global Coordination appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched its first tokenised money market fund, My OnChain Net Yield Fund (MONY), on the public Ethereum blockchain. The fund is powered by Kinexys Digital Assets, the firm’s multi-chain asset tokenisation solution. MONY is a 506(c) private placement fund offering qualified investors the ability to earn US dollar yields by subscribing via Morgan Money, J.P. Morgan’s trading and analytics platform for liquidity management. Morgan Money integrates both traditional and on-chain assets, providing access to a range of money market products. J.P. Morgan is the largest global systemically important bank (GSIB) to launch a tokenised money market fund on a public blockchain. Qualified investors can access MONY exclusively through Morgan Money, receiving tokens at their blockchain addresses. The fund invests solely in US Treasury securities and repurchase agreements fully collateralised by US Treasuries. It allows daily dividend reinvestment and subscriptions and redemptions in cash or stablecoins through the platform. Tokenisation provides increased transparency, peer-to-peer transferability, and potential broader collateral use within the blockchain ecosystem. George Gatch “Active management and innovation are at the heart of how we deliver new solutions for investors navigating today’s financial landscape,” said George Gatch, CEO of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. “By harnessing technology alongside our deep expertise in active management, we’re able to provide clients with advanced, innovative, and cost-effective capabilities that help them achieve their investment goals.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik The post J.P. Morgan Launches Tokenised Money Market Fund on Ethereum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

radicant bank has put in place a succession solution to ensure its customers continue to have access to banking services. The boards of directors of both radicant and Alpian have signed a corresponding agreement. Alpian, a Swiss bank regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), forms part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, one of Europe’s largest banking groups. On 11 November, radicant announced that, in agreement with its majority shareholder BLKB, it would cease banking operations and return its banking license. This decision is part of an orderly process, with customer deposits remaining fully protected. radicant and Alpian have developed a solution to ensure customers continue accessing digital banking services. Both banks’ boards have signed the agreement, and they plan to complete the transition by April 2026. The transaction is subject to the completion of all corporate formalities. Bruno Meyer “Alpian combines a fully digital current account with investment services and personal, professional advice. For our customers, this represents an appropriate succession solution. We are pleased to offer this option together with Alpian,” said Bruno Meyer, CEO of radicant. Gianmarco Bonaita “We look forward to welcoming radicant’s customers to our platform. Our approach is designed to meet the expectations of customers seeking a modern digital bank, and we will ensure the transition is as smooth as possible,” said Gianmarco Bonaita, CEO of Alpian. radicant will promptly and clearly inform approximately 20,000 customers about the next steps. The aim is to ensure customers can continue their banking activities seamlessly with the new provider. radicant will fully maintain all commitments to customers, employees, and partners.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by ismode via Freepik The post radicant bank to Transfer Customers to Alpian appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

UBS announced that Mike Dargan will step down as Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer at the end of December to pursue an opportunity outside the bank. From 1 January 2026, the Group Technology function will report to Beatriz Martin in her new role as Group Chief Operating Officer. Chris Gelvin will serve as interim Head of Group Technology, in addition to his current role as Chief Operating Officer, Group Technology, until a permanent successor is appointed. Adding Group Technology to the COO portfolio aims to support end-to-end operations, prioritise technology and AI initiatives, and complete the remaining technology integration process. Commenting on the appointments, Group CEO Sergio P. Ermotti said: Sergio P. Ermotti “Mike has been instrumental in positioning our technology as a driver of business growth and resilience and progressing the firm’s strategic shift towards AI and digitisation. I would like to thank Mike for his significant contributions to UBS and wish him all the best for the future. I also congratulate Bea on her expanded responsibilities and thank her for her ongoing leadership.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by ghiska via Freepik The post UBS Announces Changes in Technology and Operations Leadership appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.