The conversation around digital assets at the World Economic Forum has shifted from speculative debate to practical implementation. Global financial leaders framed tokenization and stablecoins as "the name of the game" for 2026. However, the clear consensus emerging from Davos is that the revolution will be institutional, not retail - at least for now.Wholesale ConsensusLast year, Davos panels debated the future of crypto. This year, however, the discussion focused squarely on how to deploy blockchain-based infrastructure at scale. The key takeaway for brokers and financial institutions is that the most immediate and tangible progress is happening in wholesale markets, far from the consumer-facing hype. Francois Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Bank of France and an ECB Governing Council member, captured the mood perfectly. He acknowledged that stablecoins have become "very fashionable," but "the jury is still out" on use cases beyond the crypto-native ecosystem.Is Tokenization the Future? @cnbcKaren (@CNBC), @brian_armstrong (@coinbase), @bgarlinghouse (@ripple), Valérie Urbain ( @EuroclearGroup), François Villeroy de Galhau (@banquedefrance), Bill Winters (@StanChart) #WEF26 https://t.co/Ob8n7PCh1T— World Economic Forum (@wef) January 21, 2026 He pointed to the ECB’s wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) initiatives as the real focus, where tokenization can be tested in controlled, high-value environments such as settlement and collateral management. This "wholesale-first" approach appeared to be a recurring theme. Valerie Urbane, CEO of settlement giant Euroclear, highlighted an ongoing initiative to tokenize the €300 billion French commercial paper market. The goal, she explained, is not just to test a new product, but to move an entire ecosystem onto new rails to understand how issuance, settlement, and investor participation work together at scale. Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, described the industry as being at an "inflection point," but noted a key constraint for global banks and brokers: the path from experimentation to full-scale production will be dictated by regulatory coordination across dozens of jurisdictions, not by technology alone.Retail DebateWhile the institutional focus dominated discussions, the potential for broader retail access was not dismissed entirely. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong argued that tokenization holds the promise of bringing high-quality assets to an "unbrokered" global population of billions, hinting at longer-term ambitions. However, this vision of mass access was met with a firm reality check from regulators. Villeroy de Galhau cautioned that the widespread adoption of privately issued tokenized money, especially from foreign issuers, could create "sovereignty concerns" for national economies. His central message was unambiguous: regulation is not the enemy of innovation, but a "guarantee of trust" necessary for it to succeed. For brokers and multi-asset platforms, the message from Davos is clear. The near-term action is in market infrastructure, not retail trading products. The strategic debate has shifted to trust, governance, and how to position themselves as the regulated gateways between the old financial world and the new tokenized rails. The era of asking "if" is over; the era of building the "how" has begun. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Boku reported annual revenue of $128.5 million for 2025, exceeding analyst estimates and representing 29% growth from the prior year's $99.3 million, according to a trading update released today (Wednesday).The payments network posted adjusted EBITDA of $41 million, up 31% year-over-year and ahead of the $39.8 million consensus estimate. The company's EBITDA margin reached 32%, compared to 31.6% in 2024.Cash on the company's balance sheet grew 39% to $246 million at year-end, even after Boku repurchased 5.8 million shares during 2025 at a cost of $12.3 million. The company's own cash, which excludes merchant funds in transit, increased 28% to $103 million.CEO Stuart Neal said in the release that performance was "broad-based across merchants, Local Payment Methods, products and geographies." He added that the company expects to deliver medium-term organic revenue growth above 20% on a compound annual growth rate basis with EBITDA margins above 30%.Digital Wallets Drive Revenue Mix ShiftDigital wallets and account-to-account payment schemes posted 66% growth during the year, while the company's bundling product - which helps merchants package subscription offers - climbed 71%. Together, these two segments now account for 45% of total revenue, up from roughly 35% at mid-year.Boku's digital wallet business had already shown momentum in the first half of 2025, when that segment posted 89% revenue growth. The company has been pushing to diversify beyond its traditional direct carrier billing roots, which still grew 9% for the full year.Direct carrier billing allows consumers to charge digital purchases directly to their mobile phone bills, a payment method that remains popular in markets with lower banking penetration. The company now separates bundling from DCB in its reporting, reflecting what it calls "increased scale and broader application" of the product.Platform Volumes and Users ExpandTotal payment volume processed through Boku's network reached $15.5 billion, up 27% from $12.4 billion in 2024, or 25% on a constant currency basis. Monthly active users hit 115 million in December, a 32% increase from 87.1 million a year earlier.The company added several high-profile clients during the year, including what it described as a leading digital design platform and a global entertainment company, though it did not name the merchants. When Boku reported first-half results in July, revenue growth included $3 million from temporary launch-phase pricing that the company said would not continue.The company trades on London's AIM market under the ticker BOKU. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Australia's financial intelligence agency has ordered Airwallex to hire an external auditor to examine its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance, citing concerns that the payment platform's transaction monitoring systems haven't kept pace with its risk profile.Airwallex Faces Regulatory Audit as AUSTRAC Raises Compliance ConcernsAUSTRAC, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, instructed the company today (Thursday) to appoint an auditor who will investigate whether Airwallex has violated multiple sections of the country's AML/CTF Act. The agency suspects the company failed to properly monitor transactions, identify customers, report suspicious activity, and maintain adequate compliance oversight from January 2024 through this month.Bradley Brown, AUSTRAC's National Manager of Regulatory Operations, signed the enforcement notice requiring Airwallex to engage an auditor within 14 days and submit findings within 180 days. The company will pay for the audit.Transaction Monitoring Under ScrutinyAUSTRAC's notice questions whether Airwallex's transaction monitoring program has been properly calibrated to detect the range of financial crimes that could flow through its platform. The audit will examine the company's ability to identify activity linked to fraud, scams, illicit tobacco, drug trafficking, and child sexual exploitation payments."As a global payment platform that facilitates the transfer of funds to multiple jurisdictions, AUSTRAC is concerned with Airwallex's transaction monitoring program has not been attuned to the full range of risks it faces and that the company hasn't demonstrated an acceptable understanding of who its customers are and what reporting may be required," AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer Brendan Thomas said.The agency also raised questions about how effectively Airwallex identifies and reports suspicious matters, and whether senior management provides adequate oversight of these obligations. Airwallex has faced regulatory scrutiny before, though the company has continued its expansion into new markets and product lines.Timing Raises QuestionsThe enforcement action lands awkwardly for Airwallex. Just one day before AUSTRAC's announcement, the company revealed it had acquired Paynuri, a South Korean entity holding payment gateway, prepaid electronic payment, and foreign exchange licenses. The deal positions Airwallex to serve Korean businesses expanding internationally while helping global companies operate in Korea's market.Arnold Chan, Airwallex's General Manager for APAC, called the Korean acquisition "a pivotal milestone" in a statement on Tuesday. The company said it plans to hire 20 employees in Korea by year-end and launch global business accounts and payment acquiring services there in 2026.Airwallex recently closed a Series G funding round that valued the company at $8 billion, about 30% higher than its previous valuation. The company reported $1.2 billion in annualized revenue and $266 billion in annualized transaction volume as of December 2025. In the Asia-Pacific region, revenue grew 85% year-on-year while transaction volume increased 71% in 2025.Broader Enforcement PatternThe Airwallex audit follows other enforcement actions in Australia's fintech sector. AUSTRAC fined Revolut Australia $123,000 in September 2025 for delayed compliance reporting, though the agency noted Revolut had self-reported the violations and cooperated with regulators.The audit results will help AUSTRAC determine whether additional regulatory action against Airwallex is warranted. The company has been expanding aggressively, recently acquiring San Francisco-based billing startup OpenPay to compete with Stripe Billing and Recurly, and securing a Dutch MiFID license to launch money market investments in Europe. The company also signed a sponsorship deal with Arsenal FC following its latest funding round. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Prediction markets are increasingly shifting from niche products into a functional layer of financial and gaming platforms, a trend that is now driving demand for dedicated B2B infrastructure rather than standalone consumer-facing offerings. A recent example of this shift is a new partnership between technology provider Plaee and Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA). The two companies have launched a CFTC-compliant, turnkey solution that allows third parties to deploy branded prediction market products in the U.S. using existing regulated infrastructure. The development reflects a broader change in how prediction markets are being positioned within the industry. Rather than building and operating markets end to end, some platforms are opting to rely on shared infrastructure that handles regulation, liquidity access, and core trading mechanics.Leon Okun, CEO of Plaee, said growing consumer demand is accelerating the shift toward infrastructure-led models. “As you can see from industry volumes, demand is growing month on month, and many established brands want to integrate prediction markets directly into their existing ecosystems,” Okun said. “To generate meaningful revenue, however, operators need both deep liquidity and CRM capabilities that support the full consumer lifecycle.” He added that this dynamic is likely to concentrate the market. “Because prediction markets rely heavily on liquidity, we expect a small number of infrastructure-first providers to emerge as the dominant players,” Okun said. Two Pressures Driving the Shift The move toward infrastructure-led models appears to be shaped by two parallel forces. On the demand side, prediction markets are attracting a growing base of retail users interested in event-driven products that sit outside traditional trading formats. At the same time, operators face rising regulatory scrutiny, particularly around market structure and potential conflicts of interest on platforms that run internal trading desks. The Plaee–Crypto.com model is designed to address both constraints. By separating product distribution from market operation, the approach allows companies to meet user demand while relying on a regulated entity for execution and compliance. “Working with Crypto.com enables operators to launch prediction market products without building regulatory and trading infrastructure from scratch,” Okun said, describing the focus on compliance and operational readiness rather than rapid experimentation. For Crypto.com, the partnership extends its role beyond running a single consumer platform. By offering regulated market access to third-party operators, the company is positioning itself as an infrastructure provider to a wider ecosystem of prediction market products. “Partnering with Plaee allows us to support a broader range of use cases while maintaining regulatory standards,” said Travis McGhee, Global Head of Predictions at Crypto.com. A Sign of Structural, Not Ideological, Change The emergence of turnkey prediction market solutions suggests a change in how the sector is developing. Prediction markets are no longer confined to a small number of vertically integrated platforms. Instead, they are beginning to resemble other financial products that rely on shared infrastructure, regulated market operators, and modular distribution. That shift does not remove regulatory or operational challenges. Questions around market integrity, information asymmetry, and the role of internal liquidity providers remain under close scrutiny. But the move toward infrastructure-based deployment indicates that prediction markets are increasingly being treated as a component of broader financial systems, rather than as isolated experiments. For brokers, gaming companies, and fintech platforms, the implication is practical rather than ideological. Prediction markets are becoming easier to integrate, but doing so now requires decisions about infrastructure partners, regulatory exposure, and long-term operational responsibility. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Wise moved £47.4 billion in cross-border transactions during its third fiscal quarter, a 26% jump from the same period last year as the London-based payments company continued adding customers and expanding its infrastructure footprint.The publicly listed firm (LSE: WISE) served 10.9 million active customers in the three months ended December 31, 2025, up 20% year over year. Customer holdings climbed 34% to £27.5 billion, while card revenue and other non-transfer income rose 30%.Wise Business Segment Outpaces Consumer GrowthWise Business volumes grew 37% year-over-year, nearly double the 21% growth rate for personal accounts. The business segment now has 542,000 active customers, a 25% increase from last year.The company's take rate on cross-border transactions held steady at 52 basis points during the quarter, down from 56 basis points a year earlier. Wise said the decline reflects its focus on long-term growth investments rather than maximizing short-term margins."We delivered 74% of payments instantly, up nine percentage points year-on-year. This is a clear benefit of our continued focus on infrastructure - our licences, integrations, technology and operations," said Kristo Käärmann, co-founder and chief executive officer.Q3 Performance HighlightsInfrastructure Push Drives Faster TransfersThree-quarters of Wise payments now complete instantly, up nine percentage points from Q3 last year. The company recently completed its direct connection to Japan's Zengin payment system, becoming the first non-bank in the country to join the network. Wise now connects directly to eight domestic payment systems globally.The company launched a travel card in India last month, attracting more than 75,000 customers to its waiting list within four weeks. Wise also introduced Google Pay integration in the Philippines, making it the first non-bank to offer the service there.In December, Wise received conditional license approval to operate in South Africa, marking its first license on the African continent. The payment service is widely used by CFD and forex brokers including Forex.com, TMGM, and XM.Profit Margin Forecast RisesUnderlying income reached £424.4 million in Q3, up 21% from the prior year on both reported and constant currency bases. For the nine months ended December 31, underlying income grew 17% on a constant currency basis.Wise expects full-year underlying income growth to land around the middle of its 15-20% guidance range. The company now projects its full-year underlying profit before tax margin will come in toward the top of its medium-term target range of 13-16%, including costs related to its planned dual listing.The firm announced plans last June to add a primary US listing while maintaining its London Stock Exchange presence. The dual listing is expected to complete in the first half of 2026. The company's first-half profit declined due to rising expenses, though revenue continued growing during that period. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Revolut has applied for a full banking license in Peru, stepping up its push into Latin America as global fintech firms race to capture underbanked, mobile-first customers in the region. The move would make Peru the company’s fifth market in Latin America. The UK-based fintech confirmed on Monday that it has filed for a full banking license in Peru, a step that would allow it to operate as a regulated bank and roll out a broader suite of products in the local market. Revolut Seeks Full Banking Status in PeruRevolut aims to convert its fast-growing global user base into deeper banking relationships in high-growth economies, with Latin America sitting at the centre of that plan. A full license in Peru would enable the firm to offer locally tailored services rather than rely on a narrow, cross-border or e-money model. Related: Revolut Wants to Enter Turkey by Acquiring a Local BankRevolut plans to leverage its multi-function app model to cross-sell services once it secures a foothold, adding features as it navigates local regulatory requirements.Revolut applied for a full banking license in Peru as it expands in Latin America to compete with some of the region’s biggest financial-technology firms https://t.co/p235dR9Otq— Bloomberg (@business) January 19, 2026The Peru application follows earlier expansion plans in the region. The company already holds a banking license in Mexico, has approval to establish a bank in Colombia, and has acquired one in Argentina. It also operates in Brazil under a credit license. The firm targets markets with high smartphone penetration and a growing digital payments.Latin America Expansion Gathers PaceLatin America’s combination of near-universal smartphone usage and a still-underbanked population creates fertile ground for digital banks.Revolut’s Latin American push comes as the company accelerates its global expansion beyond Europe. The firm, valued at around 75 billion dollars, has recently secured a crypto license in Cyprus, strengthening its ability to offer digital asset services under European oversight. As of early this year, Revolut had established itself as a leading banking force in Spain, surpassing established rivals like ING and Banco Sabadell with a 13% market penetration and over six million customers.Spain has reportedly become Revolut’s third-largest market worldwide, following the UK and France. Data from Inmark Group showed that Revolut is now the fourth-largest bank in Spain by customer reach, ranking just behind CaixaBank, BBVA, and Santander. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

A London judge cleared the way for UK regulators to cap cross-border card fees, handing a legal defeat to Mastercard, Visa and Revolut in a closely watched challenge over the cost of online payments between the UK and Europe, Bloomberg reported.The ruling keeps pressure on card schemes and fintechs over interchange charges on transactions where European consumers buy from UK merchants, even though the precise cap level and implementation timetable remain undecided.Court Ruling on Payment Systems Regulator’s PowersThe dispute centred on the UK Payment Systems Regulator’s decision to consult on restoring a cap on cross-border interchange fees that applied when EU customers used cards to buy online from UK businesses.The PSR launched that consultation in December 2024 after warning that Mastercard and Visa had raised relevant fees to an “unduly high level” following Brexit, when earlier EU limits stopped covering many UK–EU transactions.Related: Visa and Mastercard to Pay Nearly $200M in Decade-Long Merchant Class ActionMastercard, Visa and Revolut took the case to London’s High Court, arguing the PSR did not have legal power to impose price caps on those fees. They challenged the watchdog’s authority to set any ceiling and questioned whether it could proceed before finalising the level and timing of the proposed limits.Judge Dismisses ChallengeJudge John Cavanagh rejected the companies’ arguments and ruled that the PSR does have the power to introduce the proposed price caps on cross-border interchange fees.Mastercard, Visa and UK fintech Revolut lost a lawsuit with the UK payments regulator over its plans to usher in a cap on cross-border card fees. https://t.co/zqlr1msTSn— Bloomberg (@business) January 15, 2026The judgment allows the regulator to continue its work on the cap design without a legal block, although it still needs to decide the specific rate and when to bring it into force. The PSR has previously said that recent fee increases left UK merchants facing higher costs when European customers shop online, which it views as unfair and harmful to competition.PSR managing director David Geale welcomed the outcome, saying the decision confirms the regulator’s powers to ensure card payment costs are fair for UK businesses and consumers. Industry Response and Broader ContextVisa had previously said it disputed the PSR’s findings and warned that price caps can negatively affect the value people and businesses get from card payments.Meanwhile, Visa and Mastercard proposed a $38 billion settlement in the US last year to end a legal battle stretching over two decades. It aimed at resolving claims that the companies colluded to charge merchants excessively high credit card “swipe fees.”The offer came months after U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie rejected a previous $30 billion deal, calling it “paltry” compared with the fees Visa and Mastercard continue to collect from merchants. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

eToro has secured sponsorship deals with four French top-flight clubs and entered Formula One through a partnership with BWT Alpine F1 Team. The trading platform is adding AS Monaco, LOSC Lille, Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais to its growing list of football partnerships, while becoming Alpine's exclusive trading and investment partner for the 2026 season.The multi-year agreements, which begin with the 2025/26 season, make eToro the Official Trading Partner for all four Ligue 1 sides. Financial terms were not disclosed.eToro Returns to Monaco After Previous DealThe deal with AS Monaco marks a reunion between the club and the trading platform. eToro previously served as Monaco's main partner starting in 2021, when the company's branding appeared on the front of the club's jerseys."Our previous collaboration was extremely positive for both organizations, which is why we are confident that this new chapter we are about to embark on together will once again be a fruitful one," said Thiago Scuro, AS Monaco's CEO.AS Monaco is generally a well-regarded club among fintech companies. In 2024, sponsorship agreements with the club were also signed by zondacrypto, a cryptocurrency exchange originating from Poland, as well as Ebury.The partnerships give eToro visibility through pitch-side LED boards and media backdrops at matches. The company will also appear across the clubs' digital platforms and will run educational sessions and match-day events throughout the season.LOSC Lille will feature eToro's logo on its jersey sleeves, the most prominent placement among the four deals.“Beyond visibility, this is a meaningful collaboration,” added Olivier Létang, President at LOSC Lille. “eToro is an innovative, international company that shares our values of performance, transparency, and proximity to its community.”Formula One Entry with Alpine PartnershipIn a parallel move announced the same day, eToro secured a partnership with BWT Alpine Formula One Team for the 2026 season, becoming the team's exclusive trading and investment partner.The Formula One deal represents eToro's entry into motorsport sponsorship as both the sport and retail investing continue growing globally. The partnership will focus on engaging fans through content and experiences throughout the season."We are proud to partner with BWT Alpine Formula One Team ahead of the 2026 season," said Yoni Assia, Co-founder and CEO at eToro. "Formula One is driven by innovation and a relentless commitment to improvement, which strongly align with eToro's mission to equip our users with the financial tools and education they need to meet their evolving investing goals."Platform Builds Out European Sports PortfolioeToro, which serves 40 million registered users across 75 countries, has positioned itself as one of Europe's most active sports sponsors. The company spent 10.7 million dollars on sports sponsorships during the 2024-25 season.The platform extended its deal with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar last year and signed with Nottingham Forest FC in August 2025. The company maintains sponsorships with clubs in England's Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A."Teaming up with Ligue 1 most prestigious clubs – Monaco, Lille, Marseille and Lyon – will help us enhance the sense of community and engagement central to both football and investing," said Valerie Kalifa, eToro's Director of Marketing for France.eToro's expanding football presence comes as betting brands face tighter advertising restrictions in some European markets, creating opportunities for financial services platforms to fill sponsorship gaps.The information emerged in the same week that the fintech announced layoffs affecting 7% of its global workforce, while the share price reacted by falling to record lows.This article was updated at 12:00 PM CET to include information about eToro's partnership with BWT Alpine Formula One Team, which was announced after initial publication. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Finseta reported revenue of £12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, marking a 9% increase from the prior year's £11.4 million. The growth rate represents a significant deceleration from the 26% expansion the company achieved in 2024, when underlying revenue climbed to £11.3 million.The London-listed (LSE: FIN) forex and payments provider ended the year with 1,101 active customers, up from 1,059 in 2024. The company had already reached that customer count by mid-year, suggesting customer acquisition stalled in the second half.Finseta Corporate Business Surges While Individual Clients Pull BackCorporate client revenue jumped 54% compared with 2024 and accounted for 57% of total revenue, reversing the prior year's mix when corporate accounts contributed just 41%. The shift came as high-net-worth individual clients, who typically generate higher margins, reduced activity amid global economic uncertainty linked to tariff developments."While our revenue growth was constrained by macroeconomic factors, the strategic progress and investments we made during the year position us to broaden our offering, accelerate sales growth and increase profitability in the medium term," CEO James Hickman said.The company's gross margin compressed to approximately 61% from 65.7% in 2024, reflecting the heavier weighting toward corporate clients who transact at lower margins but with greater frequency. Adjusted EBITDA dropped to £0.1 million from £2.0 million in the prior year as planned investments in sales teams, compliance functions, and overhead ate into profits.Dubai Operation Ramps Up Faster Than AnticipatedFinseta received regulatory approval in March 2025 to provide payment services in the United Arab Emirates through a Category 3D license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The Dubai operation grew faster than the board initially expected, prompting additional investment in the sales team to support accelerated expansion in the region.The company established a new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre and began hiring for sales and compliance roles to onboard corporate and professional clients while building its partner network. Management expects the expanded UAE business to contribute positively to group profitability starting in 2026.During 2025, Finseta also established a full-service office in Canada, launched its corporate card scheme, formed new counterparty partnerships, and implemented UK agency banking in the third quarter. The agency banking capability allows Finseta to issue its own account numbers and connect indirectly to the Faster Payments System.Cash Position Weakens as Investment Cycle ContinuesCash and cash equivalents stood at £1.5 million at year-end, down from £2.6 million twelve months earlier. The company reported net debt of £0.3 million compared with net cash of £0.6 million at the end of 2024.The deterioration primarily reflects reduced operating cash flow in 2025 and approximately £1.1 million in cash outflows from investing activities tied to the company's strategic growth initiatives. Total operating costs for the year came in line with board expectations disclosed at the interim results in September 2025.Management expects to return to cash flow generation in the second half of 2026 as the investments in Dubai, Canada, and new product offerings begin to drive revenue growth. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Major high-frequency trading firms and quantitative hedge funds, including DRW, Susquehanna International Group, and Jump Trading, are building dedicated desks focused on prediction markets, signalling a new phase for a market long dominated by retail speculation. According to recent reporting by the Financial Times, these firms are entering prediction markets to deploy the same quantitative playbooks used in equities and derivatives. They identify mispricing, arbitrage discrepancies between platforms, and do market-making in structurally inefficient venues. “The opportunity is not about guessing outcomes,” said Joseph Saluzzi, co-founder of Themis Trading. “In a market this new, where platforms are still siloed and liquidity is fragmented, arbitrage opportunities are everywhere.” From Novelty to Market Structure Job listings underscore how seriously institutional players are approaching the space. DRW is hiring traders for a dedicated prediction-markets desk with base salaries reaching $200,000. Susquehanna International Group is recruiting talent to “detect incorrect fair values” and identify market inefficiencies, while Swiss-based G-20 Advisors is seeking quantitative engineers to build probability models for event contracts. Other professional trading firms, including Flow Traders, as well as specialist funds such as Kirin, Anti Capital and Sfermion, are also increasing activity in event-driven markets, reflecting a broader influx of quant capital. This institutional interest has been fuelled by rapid growth in trading activity. Volumes on prediction-market platforms have risen from less than $100 million a month in early 2024 to more than $8 billion in December 2025, transforming what was once a niche experiment into a market large enough to attract professional arbitrageurs. Liquidity Incentives and Embedded Market Makers The structure of leading platforms has also made them attractive to sophisticated traders. On Kalshi, Susquehanna International Group became the first official market maker, receiving reduced fees and higher position limits in return for providing liquidity. Similar arrangements are common in traditional derivatives markets, but their adoption in prediction markets highlights how closely institutional firms are now embedded in the sector’s infrastructure. For many of these players, prediction markets offer more than just arbitrage. Boaz Weinstein, founder of Saba Capital Management, has described event contracts as a highly specific hedging tool, allowing portfolio managers to offset the probability of discrete outcomes and take larger, more confident positions elsewhere. A Clear Signal of Professionalisation Some large hedge funds remain cautious, citing the market’s still-modest size relative to multi-trillion-dollar asset classes and the evolving regulatory landscape. Yet the arrival of top-tier HFT firms marks a clear inflection point. These firms are not treating prediction markets as a novelty or a betting venue, but as an emerging asset class defined by inefficiency, fragmentation and the absence of mature pricing - conditions where quantitative strategies historically thrive. As professional market makers and arbitrageurs move in, prediction markets are beginning to resemble early-stage financial markets elsewhere: volatile, imperfect, and increasingly shaped by institutional capital seeking to impose order, liquidity and price discipline. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

eToro launched 250 additional UCITS ETFs today (Tuesday), expanding its European investment offerings as the trading platform faces mounting competitive pressure from larger brokerages replicating its signature features.eToro Adds 250 UCITS ETFs The rollout targets European clients who increasingly favor UCITS-structured funds for their regulatory protections and transparency. European UCITS ETF inflows hit a record €330.6 billion in 2025, pushing total assets under management to €2.57 trillion. "eToro's goal is to open the global markets and make investing as simple as possible," said Yossi Brandes, VP of Execution Services at eToro. "For our European investors, UCITS ETFs are a key gateway to diversified and cost-effective portfolios."The platform said hundreds more UCITS ETFs will be added in coming months. The new funds integrate with eToro's recurring investment tool, which allows users to schedule automatic purchases at fixed intervals. Monthly minimums start at $25, and the company is waiving conversion fees on recurring deposits through March 31, 2026.The addition, hovever, comes one day after eToro announced plans to cut 7% of its workforce globally, a restructuring CEO Yoni Assia said would "correctly size business needs and support a long-term growth strategy."Rivals Chip Away at Social Trading EdgeeToro's expansion follows a difficult stretch for the publicly traded company. Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to neutral, warning that competitors are eroding its once-unique position in copy trading. The bank projects roughly 7% annual revenue growth through 2027, a modest forecast despite assets under administration surpassing $18 billion in November.Shares (NASDAQ: ETOR) have slumped more than 50% since the company's May 2025 IPO at $52. The stock tested levels below $31 this week, after the layoff announcement, marking new lows since its Nasdaq debut."As demand for these products continues to grow, particularly among our European clients, we are pleased to announce the addition of 250 new UCITS ETFs, with hundreds more coming soon," Brandes said.Recent Feature Rollouts ContinueThe ETF push follows other product launches aimed at deepening user engagement. One-third of eToro trades now occur during 24/5 extended market hours, mirroring growth at rivals like Robinhood and Interactive Brokers that also offer round-the-clock access.Last month, the company launched stock lending for UK retail investors through a partnership with BNY and EquiLend, bringing institutional-style passive income opportunities to its customer base."Recurring investments reduce the need to worry about timing the market and help investors build healthy long-term habits," Brandes added. "Our new recurring investment plan is an ideal way to steadily build exposure to ETFs." This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

eToro (Nasdaq: ETOR) is reducing about 7 per cent of its global headcount, according to sources. A letter sent by the broker’s CEO, Yoni Assia, to staff, and seen by FinanceMagnates.com, noted: "As eToro matures, we must ensure we are correctly sized to meet our business needs and support our long-term growth strategy."According to eToro's IPO prospectus, it had 1,501 employees across over 10 offices globally, as well as remotely, by the end of 2024. If those numbers remain intact (or are around), the broker will lay off over 100 staffers.However, it remains unclear who or which positions will be cut as part of eToro’s mass layoff drive.eToro is headquartered in Israel and has offices in the UK, Cyprus, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the United States, Australia, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Seychelles, Malta, and Gibraltar.Brokers Cutting Staff Is Common"We are reducing our global headcount by approximately 7%", Assia wrote. "This is not a decision that we take lightly and we will be supporting all impacted employees as best we can". "We are aligning our resources with our key priorities and leveraging process automation and AI to operate more efficiently and focus on the areas most critical to our long-term success. This will sharpen our execution so we can move faster". "It is often harder to make these changes when a company is doing well, but that is precisely when they are most necessary", Assia continued. "By taking these steps now from a position of strength, we are focusing our people and effort on the technologies and opportunities that will shape our future". Assia clarified that "Our financial condition has never been stronger. In Q3, we saw net contribution (revenue) growth of 28%, Adjusted EBITDA growth of 43%, and solid cash flow generation. We have a strong balance sheet (cash, cash equivalents and short term investments were $1.2 billion as of September 30, 2025) and we will continue to invest in areas that support our continued growth, including looking for strategic opportunities for in-organic expansion". "The investing landscape is experiencing unprecedented change. We are confident that we are well placed to capture the significant growth opportunities presented by multiple macro tailwinds, strengthen our competitive position, and deliver long-term value to our users and shareholders."Not Only eToroMeanwhile, eToro is not the only broker to cut its workforce. In 2023, IG Group reduced its global workforce by 10 per cent, while a few months later, CMC Markets announced a 17 per cent staff reduction. FinanceMagnates.com recently reported exclusively that the operator of FXCM and Tradu was also preparing to cut more than 100 employees. Tradu also mentioned AI as a partial reason for the layoff. Despite its strong listing, eToro shares have been struggling in the market for months. The stock has lost over 50 per cent of its value since the listing and was recently downgraded by Goldman Sachs from Buy to Hold, with the firm trimming its price target.Although the platform projected a 7 per cent annual top-line growth for 2025–2027, this trails the peer average of 8 per cent. Its 36 per cent pre-tax margin also looks thin compared with the sector’s 54 per cent. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Fintech giant Revolut has emerged as a major banking force in Spain. With over six million customers in the country, it reached a market penetration of 13% - ahead of established players like ING and Banco Sabadell. The milestone signals a significant transformation from a niche fintech app to a scaled retail banking player, comparable to major digital retail banks in Spain. The country has become Revolut’s third-largest market globally, after the UK and France. According to data from Inmark Group, Revolut now ranks as the fourth-largest bank by customer penetration, trailing only the country’s three largest traditional banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, and Santander. Revolut’s rapid growth taps into long-standing customer dissatisfaction with Spain’s traditional banking sector.From User Growth to Deeper Banking EngagementMarket commentary on X suggests that Spanish banks have “barely evolved” since the mid-2000s, sticking to cumbersome processes, overly sensitive app security, and a lack of modern perks. This customer frustration is now translating into measurable growth as users flock to Revolut’s more modern offerings.This is excellent. Spanish banks have barely evolved since I arrived in 2006. You have to build a solid relationship before they even offer you a credit card. Their apps are over sensitive on security and they offer zero perks. The market is ripe for Revolut. If they extend to a… https://t.co/Ox3lM0jEzD— Ben Walker (@bensroom) January 9, 2026The company’s growth is reflected in hard numbers: savings deposits quadrupled in 2025, with total balances reaching €2.14 billion, while investment activity doubled, with the average investment size surging by 175%. Revolut is also making a move into physical infrastructure, further blurring the lines with traditional banks. The company has already installed 50 of its own ATMs in Madrid and Barcelona, with plans to expand the network to 200 units in 2026. This success in Spain is part of a broader global expansion for the fintech firm, which now serves over 65 million customers worldwide and recently achieved a valuation of $75 billion. The Spanish data supports Revolut’s broader strategy of converting a large retail user base into a multi-product financial platform. While adoption is strong, familiar questions remain around depth of engagement, margins, and regulatory complexity as digital banks move closer to traditional banking territory. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour used the recent controversy over alleged insider trading to draw a sharp dividing line between his federally regulated exchange and its offshore competitors. In a public statement, Mansour argued that lumping all prediction markets together is a critical mistake. He clarified that platforms regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), such as Kalshi, operate under specific U.S. regulatory requirements, which differ significantly from the “wild west” environment of unregulated offshore platforms. His comments come as the industry faces scrutiny. The debate began after a Polymarket user won over $436,000 by correctly predicting the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro just hours before it happened. More recently, another Polymarket trader allegedly netted over $1 million by placing near-perfect bets on Google's Year in Search rankings, sparking accusations of trading on non-public information. These incidents have prompted a legislative response. U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres is drafting a bill to explicitly ban federal employees from trading on prediction markets – online platforms where participants buy and sell contracts based on outcomes of future events – using inside information. Mansour clarified Kalshi's position, stating, “Insider trading is banned on Kalshi (and always has been),” with rules adapted from the NYSE and Nasdaq. He supported the bill, noting it codifies existing Kalshi practices, and pointed out it would not apply to offshore platforms where these issues arise. A Fundamental Divide in Philosophy The controversy highlights a deep philosophical split within the prediction market industry over the role of inside information – a divide that stands in contrast to the harmonised rules of the traditional brokerage world. Licensed brokers operate under a zero-tolerance regime for insider trading, mandated by laws such as the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act (ITSFEA), with requirements to maintain information walls, restrict employee trading, and report suspicious activity to regulators like FINRA and the SEC. In prediction markets, the approach remains fragmented. Regulated platforms like Kalshi mirror the traditional exchange model, enforcing a strict ban on trading on Material Non-Public Information (MNPI) and cooperating with regulators. The stance of unregulated offshore players is often ambiguous. Some argue that trading on private information improves price discovery, even as it raises questions around fairness and market integrity. This debate also fits into a longer-running rivalry between Kalshi and Polymarket. In earlier interviews, Mansour described sustained competition as a force that pushes prediction markets to mature from a niche product into a credible financial industry. Against that backdrop, the current controversy over insider trading marks a shift in how that rivalry is being contested – away from product features and toward regulation, governance, and legitimacy. By publicly aligning Kalshi with established exchanges and federal regulators, Mansour is reinforcing a reputational distinction at a moment when prediction markets as a category are facing heightened scrutiny. The result is a clearer institutional divide, with regulated platforms increasingly framed as credible market infrastructure, while offshore venues are pushed into a separate and riskier category in the eyes of policymakers and counterparties. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Broadridge Financial Solutions has acquired a minority ownership position in DeepSee, a Utah-based firm specializing in agentic AI, and will begin deploying automated email orchestration tools across its post-trade processing operations.Broadridge Takes Stake in DeepSee to Automate Post-Trade Email WorkflowsTom Carey, president of Broadridge Global Technology and Operations, will join DeepSee's board of directors as part of the arrangement. The partnership initially targets email management for operations teams handling fails research and inventory optimization tasks."This latest investment and partnership underscores Broadridge's commitment to delivering innovative AI-powered solutions that transform operations, reduce risk, and enhances the client experience," Carey said."Working with DeepSee, we are bringing agentic AI directly into post-trade workflows, helping clients move from manual email handling to intelligent automation, unlocking new levels of productivity and operational resilience."The investment comes as financial institutions face mounting pressure to demonstrate returns on AI spending after several years of experimentation. Industry executives at the Finance Magnates London Summit warned that firms not actively deploying AI risk falling behind competitors.Email Inboxes Converted to Automated WorkflowsBroadridge processes over 15 trillion dollars in daily trades and already operates AI-enhanced tools through its OpsGPT platform for settlement efficiency. The DeepSee technology converts incoming email requests into connected workflows where AI agents, systems, and human operators function together.Pre-trained agents automate routine operations while industry-specific AI capabilities turn communications into actions, according to the companies. The system provides real-time dashboards showing service level agreement metrics, operational trends, and team performance data.Broadridge has deployed the solution across its business process outsourcing operations, which serve more than 60 clients. The technology integrates with Broadridge's existing post-trade capabilities and can be implemented either through the Broadridge platform or as a standalone system."From the beginning, DeepSee's vision has been to leverage the power of AI agents to transform the complex processes of financial services into actionable outcomes that drive immediate, production-ready business impact," said Steve Shillingford, CEO and founder of DeepSee. Automation Pressure Builds Across Financial OperationsMultiple firms have launched AI agent products for financial services in recent months. Retail platform Public introduced an automated trading feature allowing users to build portfolios through text prompts, while SAP Fioneer deployed AI agents for banks and insurers.Broadridge, which generates over 7 billion communications annually and employs more than 15,000 people across 21 countries, has been expanding its technology leadership. The company hired former JPMorgan executive Munish Gautam to oversee trading platforms last year.Financial firms are also exploring blockchain-based settlement systems, which have begun processing higher volumes than some crypto-native products in fixed-income markets. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Revolut is negotiating the acquisition of FUPS, a Turkish digital bank, as the fintech looks to enter the country's rapidly evolving banking market. The talks represent the latest step in Revolut's ongoing push to expand its global footprint. However, no final agreement has been reached and the discussions could still fall apart, according to people familiar with the matter quoted by Bloomberg.Any transaction would need approval from Turkey's Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, known locally as BDDK. Revolut Pursues 100 Million Users Across Global MarketsRevolut, led by billionaire Nik Storonsky, has built a user base approaching 70 million customers worldwide. The company closed a funding round in November at a $75 billion valuation, a 67 percent jump from its $45 billion valuation the previous year, as it posted revenue gains and attracted investment from Nvidia's venture arm.The fintech has been aggressively targeting new markets in recent months, from the Nordics to Mexico. Revolut has pitched expansion plans for China to investors, outlining strategies for hiring, licensing, and scoping opportunities in the country.Turkish Banks Digitize but Still Rely on Physical PresenceTraditional banks in the country have invested heavily in digital services, with the number of active digital banking customers increasing to more than 120 million. Major players like Garanti BBVA have integrated artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance customer service.However, these incumbents still maintain extensive branch networks, a dependency that could give purely digital players an edge.“Revolut's potential entry into Turkey makes strategic sense, intensifying competition in a market where incumbents are already digitally advanced, but still depend on branch networks,” said Tomasz Noetzel, senior industry analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. “The deal's strategic execution will be critical to differentiation, beyond price and user experience.”Turkey's Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency launched digital banking regulations in 2022, formally opening the door for neobanks. The regulator has granted digital banking licenses to five institutions: Hayat Katılım, Kasa Katılım, T.O.M. Katılım, FUPS Bank, and Ziraat Dinamik.FUPS Operates With Minimal Staff After 2022 LaunchFUPS received its banking license in 2022 with founding capital of 1.5 billion liras, worth just over $81 million at the time. The bank was established by Lydians Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri, which operates as both a payment service provider and electronic money institution. As of September 2025, FUPS employed 60 people, according to data from the Turkish Banks Association.The Turkish opportunity follows Revolut's entry into Argentina in June 2025 by purchasing a local lender from BNP, where it acquired Banco Cetelem's local banking license and approximately $6.4 million in assets. The company has pursued similar strategies in India, where it acquired Arvog Forex in 2022 after pumping over $45 million into the market.Turkey's digital banking market was valued at $101.52 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to $267.3 million by 2034, expanding at an 11.36 percent compound annual growth rate. The country's 80.7 million active cellular mobile connections provide a substantial market for mobile banking applications.In September 2025, Revolut announced it was eyeing a US bank buyout while committing £3 billion and 1,000 jobs to its UK global headquarters. More recently, the fintech engaged with Israeli regulators to obtain a “lean bank” license after entering the country in 2023, demonstrating the company's willingness to pursue multiple regulatory pathways simultaneously. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Spot trading volume for tokenised stocks has surpassed $1 billion, with the vast majority of activity concentrated in December, Bitget reports. The surge highlights a sharp acceleration in demand for on-chain access to traditional equities outside standard market hours. The recent data confirms a broader shift in how global investors interact with traditional assets. Rather than waiting for U.S. market sessions to open, traders choose to react to macroeconomic and geopolitical developments in real time via tokenised instruments that trade continuously. The Real Arbitrage Is Geographic, Not Temporal After-hours trading often dominates the narrative; however, the global access appears to be a more durable and important driver. Tokenised stocks are increasingly used by investors outside the United States as an alternative way to gain exposure to U.S. equities without opening local brokerage accounts or bearing foreign exchange costs. Issuers such as Backed Finance have seen the market capitalisation of their tokenised equity products rise sharply, reflecting demand specifically from regions where direct U.S. market access is operationally complex or restricted. As one market participant described it, this is less about technology arbitrage and more about geography: a parallel access layer for U.S. equities serving the billions of investors who sit outside the domestic brokerage ecosystem.backed finance tokenized stocks hit $800m market cap, 30x growth crushing every other rwa vertical. baappl, btsla, bspx trade 24/7 on ethereum and solana. sec blocks us access so 6.5 billion people get us equity exposure without brokers or forex spreads. tokenized treasuries grew…— aixbt (@aixbt_agent) January 6, 2026 Regulators Draw Clear Boundaries Around Tokenised Securities Despite the rapid growth in activity, regulators have been explicit that tokenisation does not change the legal nature of securities. In the EU, ESMA has stressed technological neutrality. Tokenised shares remain transferable securities under MiFID II, not MiCA, which applies to non-security crypto-assets. U.S. regulators have taken a similar stance. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) treats tokenised equities as securities that must be registered or issued under exemptions, with platforms operating as broker-dealers or alternative trading systems. In 2025, the SEC granted Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation a three-year no-action window to pilot on-chain tokenisation of stocks, bonds and Treasuries, effectively integrating the technology into existing clearing and settlement infrastructure rather than allowing it to develop outside it. Across jurisdictions, regulators have emphasised that tokenisation should deliver genuine efficiency gains, and not serve as a vehicle for regulatory arbitrage. What This Means for Traditional Brokers This on-chain activity is no longer a niche experiment. Major financial institutions are now forecasting a multi-trillion dollar future for the sector. A recent report from Deutsche Bank Research projects the market for tokenized real-world assets could reach $1.5 to $2 trillion by 2030, and as much as $4 trillion by 2035.“Tokenized capital markets could become the default infrastructure for issuance and trading by the 2030s.”- @DeutscheBank pic.twitter.com/kQm4LrS6Vy— Securitize (@Securitize) January 6, 2026For traditional brokers, the message is clear: their core business models, operations, and roles may change. While regulatory oversight remains anchored in existing frameworks, trading behaviour and liquidity formation are shifting from time-bound TradFi infrastructure to always-on gateways to traditional assets. The convergence is now less about whether tokenised stocks will be regulated, and more about whether global access to equities will remain restricted by legacy brokerage hours and geographic constraints—even as markets increasingly operate around the clock. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

bunq has submitted a fresh application for a US national bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Dutch neobank announced today (Wednesday). The move comes roughly two years after the company withdrew its initial attempt to enter the American banking market.Ali Niknam, the company's Founder and CEO, said the timing reflects what he sees as a favorable regulatory environment. "We believe that this is a unique opportunity for us," Niknam said in an interview.The company is betting on a market it knows well: professionals who split their time between the US and Europe but struggle to maintain banking relationships on both sides of the Atlantic. bunq's core audience includes digital nomads and expats who often hit roadblocks when trying to open accounts abroad, partly because of US tax reporting requirements that make foreign banks wary of American clients."We believe there's far more people out there that would benefit from this global bank account," Niknam said, pointing to millions of Europeans living in the US and Americans living in Europe who face banking access issues.Second Attempt Follows Broker-Dealer Winbunq isn't starting from scratch this time. The company secured a broker-dealer license from FINRA in October, which allows it to offer stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds to US customers. The firm wasn't alone in obtaining broker-dealer approval last year. Crypto platform Archax bought US broker-dealer Globacap Private Markets, while Hidden Road Partners secured FINRA approval shortly before Ripple's $1.25 billion acquisition of the company.The broker-dealer license was part of bunq's phased entry strategy. Now with the banking application filed, the company can move toward offering full deposit accounts and payment services if approved.bunq first applied for a US banking license in 2023 but withdrew the application in January 2024. Niknam acknowledged the firm wasn't ready to answer regulators' questions quickly enough. "We are doing our utmost best to make sure that we satisfy and fulfill each of the regulations," he said this time around.The company plans to launch in US cities with large expat populations first. One selling point: helping newly arrived expats build US credit scores by accessing their European financial records, something traditional American banks typically can't do.Growing User Base Amid European Dominancebunq hit 20 million users last year, making it Europe's second-largest neobank behind Revolut, which has more than 50 million customers. The milestone came a decade after bunq became the first company to receive a European banking permit in 35 years.The firm has built its business around features that appeal to mobile professionals, including support for 38 languages and AI-powered fraud detection. Last September, it became the first European neobank to offer flexible crypto staking through a partnership with Kraken, offering yields up to 10% annually without lock-up periods.bunq's US ambitions align with a broader push by fintech firms to secure American banking charters under the Trump administration. More than 30 companies have applied to become US banks since the administration took office, according to consulting firm Klaros Group. The OCC conditionally approved national trust bank charters for several crypto firms late last year, including Circle Internet Group and Fidelity's digital assets arm.The company also has its sights set on a UK electronic money institution license as it continues expanding beyond its European base. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Stripe and Crypto.com have partnered to expand access to cryptocurrency payments. The integration allows Stripe-supported merchants to accept crypto payments through Crypto.com Pay, in what the companies described as a step toward merging digital assets with mainstream commerce.Stripe Adds Crypto Payment OptionThrough the new setup, customers will reportedly be able to pay directly with cryptocurrency or stablecoins using their Crypto.com Pay balance.Stripe will then convert the received payment into the merchant’s local currency and deposit funds into their bank account, simplifying the process for businesses that want to accept crypto without dealing with price volatility.We are excited to be partnering with @stripe to help businesses more easily accept #crypto payments. Read more here: https://t.co/JwWQplJaGS pic.twitter.com/YfFaNg7hon— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) January 6, 2026Crypto.com becomes the first crypto firm integrated with Stripe for direct balance payments. The move broadens the payment giant’s reach in digital assets while offering a more convenient crypto checkout option to consumers.“Increasing everyday accessibility to and utility of cryptocurrencies for consumers and merchants is central to our vision at Crypto.com,” commented Joe Anzures, General Manager, Americas and EVP of Payments, Crypto.com. “We are excited to partner with Stripe, a recognized leader in digital payments, to collectively catalyze a new era for crypto-enabled commerce.”Crypto.com to Use Stripe for Card TransactionsIn addition to the checkout integration, Crypto.com will now use Stripe to process card-based crypto purchases. The arrangement allows users to buy cryptocurrencies with credit or debit cards more easily, supporting Crypto.com’s card products in the U.S. market.You may also like: Telegram’s Global Ambitions Hit a Wall as $500 Million in Bonds Freeze in RussiaCrypto.com has been keen in collaborating with the traditional fintech space. Last year, the crypto exchange enabled Google Pay support for all UK-issued Crypto.com Visa cards, allowing users to make tap-to-pay purchases with their Android devices at any merchant that accepts Visa or Google Pay.Exciting news for users with UK-issued https://t.co/vCNztATkNg Visa Cards! You can now enjoy contactless payments by adding your Card to Google Walletᵀᴹ ?? ? Add your Card now: https://t.co/uizkqIx8I2 ℹ️ Only available for UK-issued https://t.co/vCNztATkNg Visa Cards.… pic.twitter.com/B7L3nxq1ro— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) November 24, 2025This update sought to improve the day-to-day spending for cardholders using digital assets, further aligning crypto cards with traditional payment experiences in the UK. The company mentioned that UK customers can add their Crypto.com Visa cards directly via the Crypto.com app or through Google Wallet for use with Google Pay. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Papaya Global is in advanced talks for a potential acquisition, with a valuation estimated between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion, Calcalist reported. The company is negotiating with multiple international parties, including a private equity fund and enterprise software firms such as SAP and Oracle.Cross-Border Payroll Expands Across 160 CountriesPapaya Global provides software that helps corporate clients manage payments to employees and contractors worldwide. Its services include payroll management and a standalone business-to-business segment. [#highlighted-links#] The B2B segment accounted for around 40% of revenue in 2024 and is expected to reach about 55% in 2025. The company reported just over $100 million in revenue in 2024 and anticipates roughly $200 million in 2025, with profitability expected. Its cross-border payroll software operates in 160 countries and 130 currencies, supported by recent partnerships and acquisitions.Papaya Global Partners with dLocal GloballyIn 2024, Papaya Global partnered with cross-border payments provider dLocal. The collaboration aims to help businesses manage workforce payments across multiple regions, with a focus on emerging markets. The combined solution integrates payroll and payment processes, ensuring timely payments while meeting local regulations. Initially active in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, the partnership has improved payment volumes and delivery rates. Both companies plan to expand to additional regions, offering clients a more seamless global payment experience.Papaya Global was founded by Eynat Guez, who continues to serve as CEO. Guez has a background in relocation and payroll services and is considered the first woman in Israel to establish and lead a company to unicorn status.Fintech Unicorn Invests Millions Super BowlThe company is also seeking broader visibility through marketing, making its debut in the Super Bowl advertising arena, Finance Magnates reported last year. Papaya Global is using the campaign to highlight its vision for payroll and workforce management on a global scale. A 30-second Super Bowl ad costs over $8 million this year, according to Statista. The investment signals fintech’s "growing confidence" in reaching mainstream audiences. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.