Revolut has signed a ten-year lease for its Western European headquarters in Paris. The office, scheduled to open in early 2027, will occupy 2,400 square metres across six floors of a renovated late 19th-century building designed by Albert Waldwein. The building retains its original steel structure, stone façade, and wooden staircases, while the renovation introduces open-plan layouts, high ceilings, and large windows. The site is located between Paris’s historic financial district and the Sentier, a technology and start-up hub. It will house Revolut’s Western Europe and Paris teams and serve as a hub for operations in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, and Portugal. The company plans to display its logo on the ground floor to signify its local presence. The move is part of Revolut’s broader investment strategy in the region, including applying for a French banking license, planning more than 400 new hires, and eventually employing over 1,500 staff for the new bank. These initiatives are part of a €1 billion investment in Western Europe. Béatrice Cossa-Dumurgier, CEO for Western Europe at Revolut, said: Béatrice Cossa-Dumurgier “This location perfectly reflects what Revolut stands for in the region. It embodies our ambition to combine a strong banking foundation with technological innovation. This new headquarters will be a place where our teams come together to shape the future of banking in Europe.” The office will complement Revolut’s global headquarters in London and existing European banking operations. As a remote-first company, Revolut plans to use the site for product launches, workshops, and collaborative work, while employees will continue to have flexible working options.     Featured image credit: Revolut press release The post Revolut Secures Paris Headquarters for Western Europe Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

After stalling in 2022 and 2023 amid rising interest rates, tighter funding conditions, and heightened regulatory scrutiny, the fintech mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market is reopening, with transaction volume expected to rise from US$25 billion in 2024 to US$40-60 billion over the next 24 months. According to Luciano Colos, CEO and co-founder of PitchGrade.com, an AI-powered research platform for entrepreneurs to create and refine pitch decks, this growth will be driven by consolidation in the banking-as-a-service (BaaS) industry, demand for regtech solutions, and payment modernization efforts. BaaS consolidation In a new analysis, Colos looks at the state of fintech M&A in 2026 and shares predictions for what to come for the state through 2027. He names consolidation in the BaaS sector as one of the most likely transaction themes in 2026 and 2027, driven by distressed valuations among players who struggled in 2023 and 2024. These players included Synapse, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024, Blue Ridge Bank, which terminated consent orders in 2025, and the Evolve Bank data breach in 2024, which forced the company to pay US$11.9 million in settlement for a class action lawsuit. This wave of failures created a category-wide credibility problem. As a result, acquirers are picking up infrastructure at a discount. At the same time, the BaaS companies that survived face tougher regulations where having a large size and capital is essential for survival. According to Colos, the most promising targets in this category include Unit, Column, and Increase. Unit is a leading US embedded finance startup offering ready-to-launch solutions that help software companies transform into “money hubs” for their customers. It claims more than 100 business customers, including Wix, Bill.com, Honeybook, Relay, and Homebase, serving over 2 million end customers. Column is an American chartered bank that provides regulated financial infrastructure for companies innovating in financial services, serving clients include Carta, Brex and Ramp. It claims to power as much as 40% of all money moving across the Bay Area’s tech industry, doubling its revenue to US$200 million in 2025, with free cash flow of more than US$100 million, or about US$1 million per employee. Finally, Increase provides banking infrastructure that lets fintech startups and businesses move money, store deposits and access payment rails without building direct bank connections. It processes hundreds of billions in payments volume per year. Well-capitalized processors, like Fiserv and FIS, as well as banks such as JP Morgan and US Bank, are the most likely buyers in the BaaS platform consolidation. Regtech growth AI-native compliance and know-your-customer (KYC) solutions are another key theme in 2026 and 2027. As Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) requirements expand, regtech is entering a growth phase. Companies like Alloy, Sardine, and Resistant AI represent a new generation of compliance infrastructure, setting a new standard that incumbents must need to remain competitive. Alloy provides an identity and fraud prevention platform that enables global financial institutions and fintech startups to manage identity risk, serving more than 700 of the world’s largest financial institutions and fintech companies. It’s valued at US$1.55 billion, and is a natural target for well-capitalized processors like FIS or Fiserv to bundle advanced compliance capabilities with their core banking offerings. Sardine offers an agentic risk management platform, unifying data across risk teams to detect fraud in real-time and streamline compliance operations. It has protected over US$1 trillion in transaction volume for 503 million consumers and 2.6 million businesses to date, serving companies including FIS, GoDaddy, Deel, Checkout, and Brex. Finally, Resistant AI is a provider of native AI models for financial crime and fraud prevention. Resistant AI claims that companies using its services see a 3x increase in document fraud prevention, 5x faster review times, 90% automation rates, and a 5x increase in second-line analyst productivity. It serves customers including Dun & Bradstreet, Payoneer, Close Brothers, AXA, PennyMac, Bank of Valletta and Finom. Resistant AI raised US$25 million in a Series B in October 2025 after breaking even. Colos expects two or three significant acquisitions in this category in 2026 and 2027 at 6-10x annual recurring revenue (ARR) multiples. B2B payment infrastructure Another key fintech M&A theme in 2026 and 2027 is international payment infrastructure. With business-to-business (B2B) cross-border payments remaining expensive, slow and fragmented, acquirers with global ambitions will continue to buy payment rails and local infrastructure, especially those operating in high-growth markets, like Latin America (LatAm), Southeast Asia, and Africa. Most likely buyers include Mastercard, Visa, Block and Stripe, with probable targets that encompass Rapyd and Nuvei. Rapyd is a cross-border payment and embedded finance infrastructure serving 250,000 merchants. At its 2021 peak, Rapyd was valued at US$15 billion but has since seen its valuation shrink to US$4.5 billion, according to reports. Nuvei offers a modular, flexible and scalable technology that allows companies to accept next-generation payments, offer various payout options, and benefit from card issuing, banking, risk and fraud management services. Nuvei supports customers in more than 200 markets, with local acquiring in 50 markets, 150 currencies, and 680 alternative payment methods Nuvei was privatized in 2024, and is now owned by a private equity firm. The company could be re-sold or become a merger target. Colos also expects a number of B2B payment transactions focused on the US market. With the RTP and FedNow networks now operational, the plumbing for instant B2B payments is in place. This will likely prompt strategic buyers like Fiserv and FIS, as well as ERP providers like SAP and Oracle, to accelerate acquisitions of software layer above that infrastructure. Colos expects a particular focus to be placed on solutions that enable treasury management, payment orchestration, and accounts payable automation over real-time rails. Fintech M&A rebounds After stalling in 2022 and 2023, the fintech M&A market rebounded in 2025 as incumbents became strategically motivated to acquire distribution and technology. Targets are now those with proven revenue and clear integration rationale, rather than high-growth loss-makers. Valuation multiplies, while recovering from 2022-2023 lows, reflect a new equilibrium. Payment infrastructure are now trading at 3-7x revenue, neobanks at 2-4x, and data and compliance platforms at 5-8x. This marks a significant recalibration from 2021, when fintech companies traded at 20-40x revenue multiples, valuations that made most targets unacquirable. Fintech deal multiples in 2025-2026, Source: Luciano Colos, PitchGrade.com, Mar 2026 Globally, the fintech industry recorded 1,030 M&A transactions in 2025, reaching a four-year high and climbing 29% year-over-year (YoY) from 797 deals in 2024. The largest transactions last year included Dunamu, the company operating South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit valued at US$10.3 billion and acquired in November 2025 by Naver Financial; Melio, a US-Israeli payment firm valued at US$3.1 billion and acquired in July 2025 by New Zealand’s cloud accounting software giant Xero; and Deribit, a crypto options exchange valued at US$2.9 billion and acquired in August 2025 by US crypto firm Coinbase. Fintech exit trends, Source: State of Fintech 2025, CB Insights, Feb 2026   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by funtap via Freepik The post BaaS, Regtech, Payment Infrastructure Take Center Stage in Fintech M&A Rebound appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

UBS, PostFinance, Sygnum, Raiffeisen, ZKB and BCV are working with Swiss Stablecoin to explore the potential of a Swiss franc (CHF) stablecoin. The collaboration will test selected use cases in a secure digital live environment, known as a sandbox, providing a controlled setting for experimentation. The initiative aims to support the development of a Swiss digital currency ecosystem, build expertise in digital payment solutions, and generate practical insights. Participating institutions will focus on enhancing process efficiency and creating tangible benefits for customers. The sandbox is based on a jointly developed list of potential use cases, with the technical infrastructure for issuing the stablecoin provided by Swiss Stablecoin. Scheduled for 2026, the sandbox is open to other banks, companies and institutions interested in contributing to the development of a CHF stablecoin.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Swiss Banks to Pilot CHF Stablecoin in Secure Digital Sandbox appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Buyers in the events, media and information services sector are increasingly targeting specialized verticals, preferring niche communities over broad appeal. According to the latest M&A Activity Update report from Grimes, McGovern & Associates, which tracked over 360 transactions across 2025, acquirers prioritized sector-leading niche events and media companies with loyal communities in 2025, favoring brands with committed niche audiences, strong identity and repeat attendance. Several deals illustrate this trend. In March 2025, Emerald acquired all assets of Insurtech Insights, a London-based company that serves the growing insurance technology community. Founded in 2018, Insurtech Insights produces leading conferences across Europe, Asia, and the US, bringing together insurers, brokers, technology providers, investors, and thought leaders to explore innovations shaping the industry’s future. In July 2025, Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII) acquired Integrative Healthcare Symposium, a longstanding event for integrative healthcare practitioners, and Integrative Practitioner, a podcast and e-newsletter to support integrative healthcare professionals. This strategic acquisition was intended to expand CII’s healthcare portfolio, and strengthen its position as a leader in advancing innovation through conferences and media. Most recently, in January 2026, Nineteen Group, an international events and media organization, purchased Reliabilityweb, a respected global community dedicated to reliability engineering, maintenance excellence, and asset management. The acquisition marked a key milestone in Nineteen Group’s expansion in the US and reinforced its growing footprint across the manufacturing sector. Event M&A activity continues upward trend Findings from the Grimes, McGovern & Associates study revealed that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the events, media and information services industry rebounded in 2025, with transaction volume rising from 341 in 2024 to 361 in 2025. This growth was largely driven by event deals, which totaled 95 transactions in 2025, up from 94 in 2024 and 73 in 2023. This sustained expansion underlines investors’ continued confidence in face-to-face event platforms throughout the years. The media and information services vertical also rebounded in 2025, rising from 247 in 2024 to 266 in 2025, and returning to 2023 levels after the 2024 dip. Together, these trends point to a market that has factored in macroeconomic uncertainty and entered a disciplined but active acquisition cycle focused on scalable, specialized, and defensible media and event properties. Events and media mergers and acquisitions deal count, Source- M&A Activity Update, Grimes, McGovern and Associates, 2026 In 2025, private equity (PE) involvement remained high in M&A deals, with a rising share in deal counts of 25% compared to 17% in 2024 and 20% in 2023. PE firms were particularly active in the events category, where 46% of the deals involved PE, up from 33% in 2023 and 36% in 2024. This climb signals that PE firms are prioritizing live and experiential assets, where pricing power, community-driven defensibility, and platform roll-up opportunities may be more tangible, while remaining more selective in traditional and digital media transactions. Event and media mergers and acquisitions deal count with involvement of private equity firms, Source: M&A Activity Update, Grimes, McGovern and Associates, 2026 Software companies target media assets in acquisition push In the events and media M&A landscape, 2026 got off to a strong start, with 14 deals in the events category in January and February alone. This figure represents nearly double the number recorded in the same period last year. Another trend that is the acceleration of software companies acquiring media brands. In February 2026, HubSpot Media, the in-house media division of the enterprise software firm HubSpot, acquired a creator-led entrepreneurship publication called Starter Story. Founded in 2017 by software engineer Pat Walls, Starter Story is a video-first media brand with more than 800,000 YouTube subscribers, a 275,000-person newsletter, and a total audience of roughly 1.6 million across platforms. The company is profitable and generates a seven-figure revenue, according to Founded. HubSpot’s media network, which also comprises the Hustle, now drives over 50 million engagements and tens of thousands of leads each month. With Starter Story joining the network, HubSpot’s combined YouTube subscriber count rises to 2.9 million. In March 2026, Plaid, a US$8 billion open banking startup, acquired This Week in Fintech (TWIF), marking the company’s first buy of a media business as it focuses on broadening customer relationships by  providing additional resources, expanding content formats, and creating more opportunities for community engagement. TWIF provides news and analysis for operators, builders, and investors navigating the fintech industry, with a newsletter operation that’s said to have around 200,000 subscribers, according to Axios. Most recently, in April 2026, OpenAI acquired Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN), bringing a team with strong editorial instincts, deep audience understanding, and a proven ability to convene influential voices across tech, business, and culture.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by MDROTONALI via Freepik The post Buyers Target Niche Media Across Events and Information Industries appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with increased accessibility and sophistication of AI-based impersonation attacks, have elevated AI to the top data security concern. According to a new survey conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence for Thales, AI-fueled attacks are now a prominent threat, with 59% of the 3,120 global security and IT experts polled reporting witnessing deepfake attacks, underscoring the rapid proliferation of AI-based social engineering. The cost and impact of these technologies is becoming tangible. 48% of respondents said that they have experienced reputational damage as a result of AI-generated misinformation. This reveals how such content can inflict harm on personal and professional reputations, leading to significant credibility loss, eroded trust, and potential financial consequences. Infrastructure supporting AI applications and data are also emerging as a prime target for attackers. 70% of respondents cited the rate of change as the top AI risk, suggesting that the speed of evolution within the AI ecosystem is a primary concern. Furthermore, 61% reported that their AI applications are being actively targeted, with sensitive data being the leading target. Most concerning AI security risks, according to security and IT managers, Source: 2026 Thales Data Threat Report Against this backdrop, spending on AI security is accelerating. According to a recent 451 Research Voice of the Enterprise study by S&P Global Market Intelligence, AI security spending now ranks as the second-highest priority, trailing only cloud security, among 17 listed areas. One in four respondents ranked AI security among their top three spending categories. Furthermore, 30% of organizations now have a dedicated budget for AI security, up 10 points. However, more than half (53%) still fund AI security using their existing security budgets. This indicates that for most organizations, AI security is not yet treated as a distinct priority, suggesting that tools and strategies may still be lacking the specialized capabilities needed to detect, mitigate, and respond to unique AI risks. Security spending priorities, Source: 2026 Thales Data Threat Report Adoption of AI surges Rising security concerns coincide with the massive surge in AI adoption within the business community. According to the 451 Research Voice of the Enterprise study, more than a third of enterprises (34%) reported that embedded agents are already in use, and a majority (73%) said they expect to use them within 12 months. These findings align with Deloitte’s 2026 State of AI report, which is based on a survey of 3,235 director-level to C-suite-level respondents globally in Q3 2025. The study found that workforce access to AI expanded by 50% in 2025, growing from under 40% a year prior to under 60% of workers with sanctioned access to AI tools. Notably, 11% of leading companies now provide workers with near-universal access to sanctioned AI tools. The study also found that AI adoption is rapidly shifting from experimental pilots to production. 25% of respondents indicated that their organization have moved 40% or more or their AI experiments into live products so far. 54% expect to reach that level in the next three to six months, demonstrating the pathway to value is clear and achievable. Proportion of AI experiments deployed, Source: The State of AI in the Enterprise, Deloitte, Jan 2026 The survey reveals that AI deployments are already yielding benefits. 25% of the leaders reported that AI is having a transformative effect on their companies, more than double from 12% a year ago. In particular, 66% cited widespread gains in efficiency and productivity. However, benefits in other areas are taking longer to achieve. For example, revenue growth remains largely an aspiration, with 74% of organizations hoping to grow revenue through their AI initiatives in the future compared to just 20% having actually achieve this. Similarly, while 65% of respondents aim to reduce costs, only 40% are seeing these benefits realized. AI benefits achieving today versus hope to achieve, Source: The State of AI in the Enterprise, Deloitte, Jan 2026 The rising threat of quantum computing In addition to AI risks, the Thales and S&P Global Market Intelligence study emphasizes the growing threat landscape surrounding quantum technology, identified by 61% of respondents as a top issue. When asked about specific quantum risks, 61% of respondents cited future decryption of existing data, known as harvest now, decrypt later (HNDL), as the top concern. The second-highest concern, future encryption compromise, was the top concern in the year-ago survey. Organizations are beginning to prepare of these risks. The survey examined organizations’ progress in mitigating quantum risks, as reflected in planned security measures for the next 18-24 months, and found a slight uptick in the proportion of organizations prototyping and evaluating post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms (59%). Quantum technology harnesses quantum mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement to develop advanced devices and systems. Quantum computing is one of the most prominent applications of quantum technology, promising exponential speedups for complex problems, such as molecular simulation, cryptographic analysis, and risk model optimization, that classical computers cannot efficiently solve. However, quantum computing also introduces risks, including the potential to break widely used cryptography methods such as RSA and ECC, which have protected sensitive data for now decades. Despite these risks, organization are actively working on quantum computing projects. Almost a third (32%) of the respondents of the Thales and S&P Global Market Intelligence study reported having either already identified quantum projects or started experimenting with quantum computing. Respondents anticipate the most significant impacts of quantum computing as improvements in machine learning, such as enhanced classification (57%), as well as advanced simulation (54%) and concurrent data processing (49%).   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by yanalya via Freepik The post AI Becomes A Top Data Security Concern appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Merge, a regulated fintech backed by Octopus Ventures and Coinbase, has launched Named EUR IBANs, an enhancement to its API-first payments infrastructure. The new product allows businesses to issue fully named, dedicated EUR IBAN accounts to their end users, supporting fiat collection, reconciliation, and payout across Europe. Unlike traditional virtual IBAN arrangements, Merge’s Named EUR IBANs are actual accounts opened in the name of the end customer. These accounts can receive, hold, and send funds, supporting both first-party and third-party payments. The functionality accommodates a range of use cases, including marketplaces, fintech platforms, and regulated crypto-native companies bridging fiat and stablecoin systems. The release addresses a challenge in cross-border and digital asset payments: the lack of scalable fiat infrastructure integrated with blockchain-based systems. By combining dedicated IBAN accounts with its stablecoin payment capabilities, Merge allows clients to manage end-to-end flows between fiat and digital assets, while maintaining regulatory compliance and traceability. Kebbie Sebastian “Named EUR IBANs are a foundational building block for any business looking to operate at scale across fiat and stablecoin rails,” said Kebbie Sebastian, CEO of Merge. “We’re giving our clients the ability to offer their users a true modern payment infrastructure combining flexibility, speed, and programmability.” With this launch, Merge aims to strengthen its position as a provider of fiat and stablecoin payment infrastructure for regulated institutions. Clients can now issue dedicated IBANs in the end-user’s name, improving trust and payment acceptance, automate reconciliation through one-to-one account mapping, integrate with SEPA payment schemes, and ensure interoperability with stablecoin rails, including on/off-ramp functionality. The service operates within Merge’s EMI and VASP regulatory framework and is available immediately to clients across supported jurisdictions, with API-driven onboarding. As stablecoins gain traction in global payments, robust fiat infrastructure remains essential. Merge’s Named EUR IBANs help businesses build financial products that bridge traditional and digital payment systems while maintaining reliability and compliance.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Mockup_Mania via Freepik The post Merge Launches Named EUR IBANs for End-to-End Fiat and Stablecoin Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Robinhood is taking a leading role in supporting the US Department of the Treasury with the rollout of the new Trump Accounts programme. As brokerage and initial trustee for the accounts, Robinhood will help ensure families can access and manage their accounts quickly and efficiently. Robinhood, working with BNY Mellon, appointed as a financial agent of the US government, is developing the Trump Accounts app, a secure, user-friendly platform that helps families manage their accounts with confidence and ease. It is helping develop the app as a bespoke, white-label product exclusively for government use. The National Design Studio, together with Robinhood, is designing an intuitive user interface and user experience that allows families to explore their Trump Accounts with clarity and control. Throughout this process, the Treasury will retain full oversight of the app and operations for the initial accounts.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Robinhood Joins US Treasury Initiative to Launch Trump Accounts appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

ERI, a banking technology company, has appointed Alan Goodrich as Sales Director, effective 1 March 2026. In this role, he will lead ERI’s global team of Sales Managers and Business Solutions Managers, overseeing the company’s commercial strategy and supporting the continued development of the OLYMPIC Banking System worldwide. Goodrich brings experience in financial services and technology, having worked with a number of established institutions. His background includes building and managing teams, expanding business operations across multiple regions, and working in competitive markets. Alan Goodrich “I firmly believe we are entering a pivotal period where market forces are converging to prompt financial institutions to reassess and modernise their core systems. I am excited to lead the strategy that will allow ERI to fully capitalise on this wave of opportunities for OLYMPIC Banking System, and to inspire our teams to achieve outstanding success,” said Goodrich.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by user15254510 via Freepik The post ERI Appoints Alan Goodrich as Sales Director appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

HSBC has appointed Alfonso Gómez as Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Swiss Private Bank and Country Head of HSBC Switzerland, effective April 27 2026. Alfonso brings over 30 years of Swiss and international wealth management experience, most recently serving as CEO of BBVA Switzerland for more than 12 years. His previous roles at BBVA include Director of Global Private Banking, Head of Private Banking for BBVA Spain and Portugal, and Country Manager of BBVA UK. He has also held senior positions in corporate banking and trade finance across New York, London, Madrid and Zurich. Alfonso will be based in Geneva and will report to Ida Liu, CEO of HSBC Private Bank. He succeeds Daniel Calado, who had been interim CEO and will return to his role as Chief Financial Officer of HSBC Private Bank Switzerland and EMEA, and continue as a member of the executive committee. Switzerland remains a key hub for HSBC’s wealth business, serving entrepreneurs and business owners across Asia, the Middle East and the UK. Ida Liu said, Ida Liu “We are delighted to welcome Alfonso whose extensive Swiss experience, strong leadership track record and commitment to client excellence make him ideally positioned to lead our Swiss Private Bank, an integral and strategically important part of our global franchise.”       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by user23413193 via Freepik The post HSBC Names Alfonso Gómez CEO of Swiss Private Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Rosella, a US-based AI-native commercial insurance brokerage, has raised US$3.7 million in pre-seed funding led by Peak XV Partners and Intact Private Capital. The company aims to streamline core insurance workflows and improve service for small and mid-market businesses by automating operational tasks while keeping brokers focused on client relationships, risk assessment, and sales. The US commercial insurance brokerage market, valued at US$215 billion, remains complex. Many processes, including submissions, policy comparison, and servicing, rely on manual effort across fragmented systems, slowing response times and creating uneven service across clients. Rosella targets three main challenges: repetitive submissions across multiple carriers, the complexity of commercial policies, and variable service levels by account size. Risk complexity is also rising. Nuclear verdicts exceeded US$31 billion in 2024, and the excess and surplus market has expanded as standard carriers retreat from higher-risk categories. Sean Stuart “Software as a product is stalling. Services are booming,” said Sean Stuart, co-founder. “The next US$100 billion company will not sell software licenses. It will sell a service powered by software, built specifically for the people doing the work.” Rosella’s platform includes AI document intelligence to compare policies and flag coverage gaps, a multi-portal submission agent that automates submissions across over 100 carrier portals, and AI-assisted phone support for live calls. Certificates of insurance that once took 30 minutes can now be generated in under two minutes. “The holy grail is not chatbots,” Stuart said. “It is browser agents that can navigate a hundred carrier portals, each one different, each one changing daily.”       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by siegostuan via Freepik The post Rosella Raises $3.7M to Automate US Commercial Insurance Brokerage appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Monzo said it will exit the US, describing the move as a strategic decision to focus on expanding in the UK and Europe. “With a fast-growing customer base of 15 million in the UK and the growth opportunity our European banking license creates, we’re making a deliberate, strategic decision to focus on scaling in our home market and Europe and to step away from the US,” the company said. According to Bloomberg, Monzo will stop onboarding new customers in the US and lay off around 50 employees, citing a person familiar with the matter. Existing customers will be able to continue using their accounts until June. Monzo announced its entry into the US with a soft launch in June 2019, introducing its first cards to users in the country. The company officially launched to the public in the US in February 2022.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by drobotdean via Freepik The post Monzo Exits US to Concentrate on UK and European Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

9fin has raised US$170 million in a Series C funding round, valuing the company at US$1.3 billion. The round was led by HarbourVest, with participation from CPP Investments, Highland Europe, Spark Capital, Redalpine, and Seedcamp. Debt capital markets, estimated at US$145 trillion, underpin corporate financing, government funding, and acquisitions. However, market participants often rely on fragmented data and manual processes, despite increasing complexity and interconnectedness across credit markets. The funding comes amid structural shifts in credit, where distinctions between private credit, leveraged finance, and restructuring are becoming less defined. At the same time, macroeconomic volatility has increased the need for timely and accurate information. Advances in AI are also influencing how data is processed and used in financial decision-making. Proceeds from the funding will be used to expand AI integration within its platform and to develop its proprietary data capabilities. The company also plans to grow its presence in the United States, which it identified as its fastest-growing market. 9fin provides a platform that combines proprietary data, analytics, and AI tools to support credit market participants. Its functions include analysing legal documents, identifying credit-related developments, and tracking market activity in real time. The company said more than 300 firms, including law firms, banks, asset managers, and advisory firms, use its platform. CPP Investments, initially a client, later joined as an investor.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by salmangraphics0839 via Freepik The post 9fin Raises US$170 Million at US$1.3 Billion Valuation for AI Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

OpenAI has closed its latest funding round with US$122 billion in committed capital, valuing the company at US$852 billion post money. The round was anchored by strategic partners Amazon, NVIDIA, and SoftBank, with continued participation from Microsoft, alongside a diverse group of global institutional investors. For the first time, OpenAI also raised over US$3 billion from individual investors via bank channels. The company recently launched GPT‑5.4, its most capable model to date, and expanded Codex into a flagship coding agent. ChatGPT now reaches more than 900 million weekly active users, with over 50 million subscribers. Enterprise accounts for over 40% of revenue and is on track to reach parity with consumer by the end of 2026. API usage processes more than 15 billion tokens per minute, while Codex serves over 2 million weekly users. Compute remains central to OpenAI’s strategy. The company runs its infrastructure across multiple cloud and chip platforms, including NVIDIA GPUs, AMD, AWS Trainium, Cerebras, and its own chip in partnership with Broadcom. More compute enables more intelligent models, which drive better products, faster adoption, and higher revenue. OpenAI is also building a unified AI superapp, combining ChatGPT, Codex, browsing, and agentic capabilities in a single platform. Users are increasingly seeking a single system that can understand intent, take action, and operate across applications, data, and workflows. The funding provides OpenAI with resources to continue investing in research, infrastructure, and product development at global scale.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post OpenAI Secures US$122B to Scale AI Infrastructure, Products, and Enterprise Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Wise has launched its UK Current Account, offering features aimed at simplifying everyday banking and international money management. The move follows a period of growth. Wise served three million active customers in the UK last year, who held over £8 billion in their accounts. Globally, the company now has more than 15.6 million active users. Around 100,000 new customers join each week, and total account balances exceed £27.5 billion. The new account includes a Travel Hub and an Airport Lounge Pass. Customers in the UK and selected markets can purchase one-off lounge access through the Wise app. The hub also provides guidance on using local payment methods abroad, with further features planned. Wise has also introduced Young Explorer cards for customers under 18. Parents or guardians can top up Young Explorer cards linked to their Wise Current Account, monitor spending, approve payments, and receive real-time notifications. Wise Current Account balances can earn a 3.26% variable interest rate through Wise Assets, with no lock-in period. Nilan Peiris, Chief Product Officer at Wise, said: Nilan Peiris “With the Wise Current Account, we’re giving customers a smarter way to manage their daily financial needs. They can hold and fully access their money while getting a return, easily spend on everyday purchases and split bills, and send and receive money quickly across borders, all at a low cost with no hidden fees.” The account allows customers to receive GBP and over 20 local currencies, set up direct debits, send money to 70+ countries, and make payments at the mid-market rate. Shared spending spaces and payment links facilitate group expenses. Security features include the ability to freeze cards, receive real-time notifications, and alerts for potentially suspicious payments.       Featured image credit: Wise The post Wise Launches UK Current Account with Travel and Youth Features appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Wer heute ein Kassensystem für den Handel, die Gastronomie oder den Dienstleistungsbereich sucht, steht vor einer unübersichtlichen Auswahl. Der POS-Systeme-Vergleich wird dabei zur zentralen Aufgabe, denn die Unterschiede zwischen den Lösungen sind erheblich – sowohl in der Technologie als auch in der Kostenstruktur. Klassische POS-Terminals konkurrieren mit SoftPOS-Lösungen, die das Smartphone zur Kasse machen, sowie mit vollständig cloudbasierten Kassensystemen, die sich nahtlos in bestehende Geschäftsprozesse integrieren. Die Wahl des richtigen Systems beeinflusst nicht nur die tägliche Kassiererfahrung, sondern auch die Transaktionskosten, die Datensicherheit und die Skalierbarkeit des Unternehmens. Dieser Vergleich betrachtet vier relevante Anbieter – Worldline, SumUp, Stripe und einen spezialisierten Zahlungsdienstleister für den europäischen Markt – sachlich und strukturiert, um Entscheidern eine fundierte Grundlage zu liefern. Bewertungskriterien und Entscheidungsfaktoren Die richtige Entscheidung beim POS-System-Kauf hängt von mehreren Faktoren ab, die je nach Branche und Unternehmensgrösse unterschiedlich gewichtet werden müssen. Hardware, Software und Integrationsfähigkeit POS-Systeme lassen sich grob in drei Kategorien einteilen: stationäre Terminal-Lösungen mit dedizierter Hardware, SoftPOS-Lösungen, die auf Standard-Smartphones oder Tablets laufen, und vollständig cloudbasierte Kassensysteme ohne proprietäre Hardware. Entscheidend ist, wie gut sich das jeweilige System in vorhandene Warenwirtschafts-, Buchhaltungs- oder CRM-Systeme einbinden lässt. Offene Schnittstellen (APIs) sind dabei ein wichtiges Qualitätsmerkmal. Kostenstruktur und Transaktionsgebühren Die tatsächlichen Kosten eines POS-Systems setzen sich aus mehreren Komponenten zusammen: Einmalkosten für Hardware, monatliche Softwaregebühren sowie Transaktionsgebühren pro Zahlung. Letztere variieren stark – von Flatrate-Modellen bis hin zu prozentualen Gebühren zwischen 0,9 % und 2,75 % pro Transaktion. Für umsatzstarke Betriebe ist das Transaktionsmodell oft der entscheidende Kostenfaktor. Für kleine Händler können günstige Einstiegsgeräte attraktiver sein als niedrige Gebühren. Weitere relevante Kriterien im POS-Terminal-Vergleich: Unterstützte Zahlungsmethoden (Karte, NFC, SEPA, QR-Code) Datenschutz und Zertifizierungen (PCI-DSS, DSGVO-Konformität) Verfügbarkeit von Offline-Funktionen bei Internetausfall Kundensupport und Service-Level-Agreements Option 1: Worldline Worldline ist ein europäischer Zahlungsabwickler mit langjähriger Erfahrung im stationären Handel und gilt als einer der grössten Anbieter klassischer POS-Systeme in Europa. Stärken Worldline überzeugt vor allem durch seine robuste Hardware-Infrastruktur und die breite Akzeptanz aller gängigen Kartensysteme. Die Lösungen sind auf Hochvolumen-Umgebungen ausgelegt – Supermärkte, Tankstellen und grosse Handelsketten profitieren von stabilen, zertifizierten Terminals. Zudem bietet Worldline massgeschneiderte Integrationen für komplexe Enterprise-Umgebungen und einen dedizierten B2B-Support. Schwächen und Einschränkungen Die Einstiegshürde ist für kleinere Betriebe vergleichsweise hoch: Vertragsmodelle sind oft langfristig und wenig flexibel. Die Onboarding-Prozesse gelten als zeitaufwendig, und die Benutzeroberflächen älterer Terminals wirken gegenüber moderneren Lösungen wenig intuitiv. SoftPOS-Angebote sind vorhanden, jedoch nicht der Kern des Portfolios. Am besten geeignet für… Worldline eignet sich vor allem für mittlere bis grosse Unternehmen mit hohem Transaktionsvolumen, die eine bewährte, stationäre POS-Infrastruktur und persönlichen Enterprise-Support benötigen. Option 2: Nexi Anbieter wie Nexi, ein auf den europäischen Zahlungsmarkt spezialisierter Finanzdienstleister, kombinieren klassische Terminal-Lösungen mit modernen SoftPOS- und cloudbasierten Kassensystemen in einem integrierten Ökosystem. Stärken Das Portfolio umfasst sowohl physische Kartenterminals als auch digitale Kassenlösungen, die auf unterschiedliche Branchen zugeschnitten sind – darunter Gastronomie, Einzelhandel und Dienstleistungsbetriebe. Besonders hervorzuheben ist die Unterstützung gängiger europäischer Zahlungsmethoden sowie die Integration mehrerer Zahlungskanäle in einer einheitlichen Plattform. Für den Bereich POS-System in der Gastronomie werden spezifische Workflows angeboten, die Tischverwaltung, Splitbilling und Trinkgeldlösungen unterstützen. Die Einhaltung europäischer Datenschutzstandards und PCI-DSS-Zertifizierungen ist dokumentiert. Schwächen und Einschränkungen Für internationale Märkte außerhalb Europas ist das Angebot weniger relevant, da der Fokus klar auf dem europäischen Zahlungsraum liegt. Kleinstbetriebe ohne regelmäßiges Kartenzahlungsvolumen könnten die Preisstruktur als weniger wettbewerbsfähig gegenüber reinen Low-Cost-Anbietern empfinden. Am besten geeignet für… Die Lösung richtet sich an europäische KMU und mittelständische Betriebe, die eine vollständig integrierte Zahlungsinfrastruktur mit Mehrkanal-Support und lokalem Marktverständnis benötigen. Option 3: SumUp SumUp hat sich als einsteigerfreundliche POS-Lösung für Kleinunternehmer, Marktverkäufer und mobile Dienstleister etabliert. Stärken Das Geschäftsmodell von SumUp zeichnet sich durch extreme Zugänglichkeit aus: keine Monatsgebühr, keine Mindestlaufzeit und ein günstiges Einstiegsterminal unter 50 Euro. Die Transaktionsgebühr von 1,69 % pro Kartenzahlung ist transparent und gilt für nahezu alle Karten. Das SoftPOS-Angebot erlaubt die Nutzung des eigenen Smartphones als Kartenlesegerät. Schwächen und Einschränkungen Bei hohem Transaktionsvolumen können die prozentualen Gebühren teurer werden als Flatrate-Modelle der Konkurrenz. Die Integrationstiefe in komplexe Warenwirtschaftssysteme ist begrenzt. Für das POS-System in der Gastronomie mit umfangreichen Anforderungen – etwa Tischpläne oder Küchendrucker – stösst SumUp an Grenzen. Am besten geeignet für… SumUp ist ideal für Soloselbstständige, Marktbeschicker, mobile Dienstleister und kleine Läden, die eine unkomplizierte, kostengünstige Einstiegslösung ohne Vertragsbindung suchen. Option 4: Stripe Stripe ist primär als Online-Zahlungsdienstleister bekannt, bietet mit Stripe Terminal aber auch eine stationäre POS-Lösung für technikaffine Unternehmen. Stärken Stripe Terminal zeichnet sich durch eine entwicklerfreundliche API-Architektur aus, die tiefe Individualisierungen erlaubt. Unternehmen, die Online- und Offline-Zahlungen zentral verwalten möchten, profitieren von einer einheitlichen Plattform. Das Ökosystem eignet sich hervorragend für Omnichannel-Konzepte. Schwächen und Einschränkungen Die Einrichtung erfordert technisches Know-how – ohne Entwicklerressourcen ist Stripe Terminal kaum sinnvoll nutzbar. Für rein stationäre Betriebe ohne digitalen Verkaufskanal ist die Komplexität oft nicht gerechtfertigt. Der Kundensupport richtet sich primär an B2B-Kunden mit technischem Hintergrund. Am besten geeignet für… Stripe Terminal passt zu technologiegetriebenen Unternehmen, Startups und E-Commerce-Betrieben, die ihren Online-Shop durch stationäre Zahlungen ergänzen und alles in einer Entwicklerplattform vereinen möchten. Vergleichstabelle: POS-Systeme auf einen Blick KriteriumWorldlineNexiSumUpStripe Terminal **Zielgruppe**Großhandel / EnterpriseKMU / MittelstandKleinbetriebe / MobileTech-Unternehmen **Hardware-Optionen**UmfangreichUmfangreichBegrenztBegrenzt **SoftPOS verfügbar**BedingtJaJaJa **Transaktionsgebühren**VertragsabhängigVertragsabhängig1,69 % pauschal1,5 % + 0,10 € **Monatsgebühren**JaJe nach ModellNeinNein **Gastronomie-Funktionen**GutGutEingeschränktEingeschränkt **API / Integrationen**Enterprise-APIsVorhandenBegrenztSehr umfangreich **Europäischer Fokus**HochSehr hochMittelNiedrig **Onboarding-Aufwand**HochMittelSehr niedrigMittel–Hoch **Offline-Betrieb**JaJe nach ModellEingeschränktJa Expertenurteil: Welches System für welchen Anwendungsfall? Es gibt kein universell bestes POS-System – die Wahl hängt entscheidend von der Unternehmensgrösse, der Branche und den technischen Anforderungen ab. Für grosse Handelsunternehmen mit Hunderten von Terminals und komplexen Integrationsprojekten bleibt Worldline eine bewährte Wahl, auch wenn die Flexibilität begrenzt ist. Wer als Kleinunternehmer oder Freiberufler schnell und ohne Vertrag starten möchte, findet mit SumUp eine der einfachsten Einstiegslösungen am Markt. Unternehmen mit starkem Omnichannel-Fokus und internen Entwicklerkapazitäten profitieren am meisten von Stripes einheitlichem API-Ökosystem. Für europäische KMU, die ein vollständiges Zahlungsökosystem suchen – inklusive stationärem Terminal, SoftPOS und Mehrkanal-Abwicklung – bieten Anbieter mit regionalem Marktverständnis und breiter Zahlungsmethodenabdeckung strukturelle Vorteile. Das POS-System in der Gastronomie stellt dabei besondere Anforderungen: Schnelle Abwicklung, Tischmanagement und Trinkgeld-Workflows sind Merkmale, die nicht alle Anbieter gleichermaßen abdecken. Ein POS-Terminal-Vergleich sollte deshalb immer mit einer klaren Prioritätenliste starten: Transaktionsvolumen, Branchenanforderungen, Integrationstiefe und Wachstumspläne sind die vier zentralen Achsen jeder fundierten Entscheidung. Häufig gestellte Fragen Was bedeutet POS-System und wo wird es eingesetzt? POS steht für „Point of Sale” und bezeichnet den Ort, an dem eine Transaktion zwischen Käufer und Verkäufer stattfindet. POS-Systeme umfassen die gesamte Hard- und Software, die dafür benötigt wird – vom Kartenterminal über die Kassensoftware bis hin zur Lagerverwaltung. Sie kommen im Einzelhandel, in der Gastronomie, im Dienstleistungssektor und zunehmend auch im mobilen Verkauf zum Einsatz. Welche Unterschiede bestehen zwischen einem klassischen POS-Terminal und einer SoftPOS-Lösung? Ein klassisches POS-Terminal ist dedizierte Hardware mit einem integrierten Kartenleser und Sicherheitschip. Eine SoftPOS-Lösung nutzt stattdessen ein handelsübliches NFC-fähiges Smartphone oder Tablet mit einer speziellen App. SoftPOS ist günstiger in der Anschaffung und flexibler im Einsatz, bietet jedoch bei bestimmten Sicherheitszertifizierungen und Hochvolumen-Anforderungen nicht immer denselben Standard wie dedizierte Hardware. Worauf sollte man beim POS-System-Vergleich für die Gastronomie besonders achten? Im Gastronomiebereich sind spezifische Funktionen entscheidend: Tischverwaltung, die Möglichkeit zur Splitbilling (Rechnungsaufteilung), Trinkgeld-Workflows, Küchendrucker-Integration sowie schnelle Transaktionszeiten für den Abendservice. Nicht alle POS-Systeme decken diese Anforderungen vollständig ab – ein detaillierter Funktionsvergleich vor dem Kauf ist daher empfehlenswert.   Featured image by freepik on Freepik The post Moderne POS-Systeme im Vergleich: Terminal-Lösungen, SoftPOS und cloudbasierte Kassensysteme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Nexi has reached an agreement with local and nationwide banks in Denmark to provide SEPA Direct Debit (SDD) services, enhancing their access to the European payments system. Under the agreement, Nexi will supply the infrastructure and operational services required to process SEPA Direct Debit collections, allowing the Danish banks to manage their participation in the SEPA scheme through Nexi’s payment infrastructure. The collaboration gives banks access to scalable and reliable infrastructure connected to European clearing systems and strengthens the integration of Danish banks with the wider European payments network. Christian Segersven, Chief Business Officer, Issuing Solutions, Nexi Group, said: Christian Segersven “We are committed to helping banks navigate the rapidly evolving payments landscape and, through our collaboration, we are providing Danish banks with an infrastructure which integrates with their existing payment environment and helps them remain relevant and competitive across their full payment ecosystem.” Søren Nicolaisen, CEO of National Banks and BOKIS, said: Søren Nicolaisen “This agreement ensures that participating Danish banks get access to a scalable and future-proof international infrastructure that enables the exchange of payments among countries within the SEPA landscape in a secure and stable way, which, in turn, will strengthen their services and competitiveness.” Nexi already has agreements with local and nationwide banks covering card and payment services, including support for secure payments with international cards and the domestic Dankort scheme.       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Nexi Expands SEPA Direct Debit Services to Danish Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

In 2025, the German fintech industry demonstrated notable resilience despite a period of broader macroeconomic stagnation. According to a new report by Berlin-based consultancy Contextual Solutions, funding volumes rebounded strongly, with investors prioritizing companies with clear paths to profitability, regulatory robustness, and scalable infrastructure. The market was simultaneously characterized by significant consolidation, reflecting a maturing ecosystem. Following a sluggish 2024, the German fintech market opened 2025 with renewed optimism. Top-tier, late-stage fintech companies were the clear winners, with Pliant securing a vital EUR 40 million Series B extension to fuel its expansion into the US market. The deal reflected the global maturity of German business-to-business (B2B) fintech companies. In Q2 2025, fintech funding jumped significantly, with some estimates indicating a 36% increase. Digital investment platform Scalable Capital, for example, closed a major funding of around EUR 155 million. However, the quarter also saw the end of BaaS platform Solaris’ run as an independent unicorn, signaling a market-wide pivot to stability. In Q3 2025, insolvency rates peaked across the broader German economy, impacting B2B lenders exposed to small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) credit risk. In particular, the insolvency proceedings of Dock Financial underscored the fragility of BaaS intermediaries operating without robust capital buffers. After filling for preliminary insolvency in May 2024, Dock Financial was eventually acquired by Rakuten in April 2025. The year concluded with signs of maturity. Digital bank N26, for example, reported sustained quarterly profits and announced the appointment of Mike Dargan from UBS Group as its incoming CEO starting April 2026. This signaled a decisive shift to corporate scaling and potential IPO readiness. Online broker and bank Trade Republic, meanwhile, closed the year with a massive EUR 1.2 billion secondary transaction, valuing the firm at EUR 12.5 billion. In 2025, Trade Republic cemented its status as one of Europe’s savings and investment platforms, expanding into an all-in-one finance ecosystem encompassing a current account, a savings account, a card product, as well as access to stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and cryptocurrencies, all leveraged through its banking license. Fintech trends in Germany in 2026 While 2025 was the year of disciplined execution, 2026 will be marked by a shift towards delivering deeper value over wide reach. As the generalist neobanking model reaches saturation, success will increasingly rely on B2B embedded finance, workflow automation via agentic artificial intelligence (AI), and the ownership specific asset classes. For banks, the 2026 mandate will center on operational intelligence. The financial sector is gradually moving beyond the hype cycle of AI into a phase of industrial deployment. Autonomous AI agents are evolving into active financial concierges that can independently negotiate rates, manage liquidity, and execute trades, fundamentally changing the customer relationship from transactional to outcome-based interactions. This evolution will extend to customer-facing interfaces, with the deployment of generative AI (genAI) avatars like Commerzbank’s Ava in 2025 and LBBW’s blue.gpt in 2024 signaling a shift towards a hybrid service models. Simultaneously, AI will increasingly become the operational backbone of the bank. Institutions will continue to deploy sovereign AI models to automate heavy-lifting tasks such as know-your-customer and anti-money laundering checks, regulatory reporting, and credit risk assessment, ensuring compliance while drastically reducing overheads. 2026 should also see the return of initial public offerings (IPOs). With Trade Republic and N26 achieving sustained profitability and refining their corporate structures, the IPO window could reopen for quality listings focused on earnings multiples rather than revenue multiples. In the B2B sector, embedded finance is poised for significant growth, as platforms like Pliant and Banxware integrate financial layers into ERP and procurement systems. This will eventually render finance invisible, embedding it seamlessly into the background of corporate software workflows. Finally, as the European Central Bank advances the Digital Euro into its next preparation phase, targeting a 2029 issuance, German banks are actively building the rails for coexistence. Concurrently, the market is expected to see the first meaningful integration of stablecoins into corporate treasury operations in Germany, driven by the clarity provided by the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation. The German fintech industry Germany is home to approximately 750 to 1,000 fintech companies. These ventures are either active in or targeting the German market. This figure has remained somewhat consistent since 2023. The market is defined by four key regional specifications. Hamburg has a stronghold for SME finance, real estate, and open banking, being home to major players like Raisin, a savings and investments platform, and Exporo, a digital real estate investment platform. Berlin is the undisputed leader in consumer fintech, neobanking, and cryptocurrency, hosting the likes of Trade Republic, and N26. Frankfurt, the regulatory and institutional heart of the country, leads in digital assets, crypto custody, and AI governance, while Munich is positioned as the local hub for insurtech and wealthtech, exemplified by players like Scalable Capital and Check24, Germany’s largest price comparison portal.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on images by coffeemill and gerain0812 via Freepik The post German Fintech Demonstrates Resilience and Maturity Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

DZ BANK, acting as issuer, and KfW, as investor, have completed a crypto security issuance under Germany’s Electronic Securities Act (eWpG) using a Smart Bond Contract (SBC). The transaction mapped the full lifecycle of a digital bond on blockchain infrastructure, from initial liquidity demand to issuance and settlement. Smart Bond Contracts (SBCs) use algorithms to coordinate participants’ actions based on predefined conditions, automating processes across the bond’s lifecycle. They run on distributed ledger technology (DLT), which provides a shared, tamper-resistant record of transactions and enables automatic execution, such as triggering payments when conditions are met. Matthias Bergner “This transaction marks a genuine innovation in the financial market,” said Matthias Bergner, Head of Treasury at DZ BANK. “Together with our offerings in the field of digital assets, it underscores our leading role in the German banking sector within the entire digital securities universe.” KfW has previously participated in digital bond issuances both as issuer and investor. The bank views such transactions as part of its broader efforts to support financial market digitalisation and test new infrastructure. Tim Armbruster “We were pleased to participate in this project, as this transaction represents another milestone on our learning journey towards Europe’s digital sovereignty,” said KfW Treasurer Tim Armbruster. “To keep the German and European financial markets competitive, we need scalable digital products.” The parties conducted the transaction without a central securities depository. Required service providers contributed data directly to the DLT system. Blockchain served as the primary communication layer, ensuring that transaction data remained immutable and visible to all participants. The pilot, executed on the Polygon blockchain, included automated ISIN assignment by WM Datenservice and digital registry services by Cashlink. The Deutsche Bundesbank’s trigger solution carried out settlement, linking blockchain processes with central bank balances. The transaction completed in around one hour, compared with the approximately five days required for a traditional bond.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post DZ BANK and KfW Complete German Digital Bond Issuance via Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Spade, a US-based data and AI platform focused on transaction data for financial institutions, has raised US$40 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Oak HC/FT, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Flourish, Gradient, NAventures, National Bank of Canada’s corporate venture arm, and Y Combinator. The company said it will use the funds to expand its platform capabilities, grow its team, and meet demand from banks and fintechs using transaction data for AI applications. Founded in 2021, Spade aims to address longstanding challenges in transaction data quality. Financial institutions process large volumes of transactions across card networks, ACH, and wire transfers, but the underlying data is often difficult to interpret. Unstructured transaction strings can lead to disputes, limited customer insights, and inefficiencies in areas such as rewards attribution. Spade’s platform matches raw transaction data with verified businesses in its database to provide clearer information on merchant identity and activity. The company reports coverage of 99.9% of merchants in the US and Canada, with accuracy above 99%. Its API infrastructure operates with P99 latency below 40 milliseconds, supporting real-time use cases such as authorisation decisioning and analytics. Oban MacTavish “This funding allows us to become the default data and intelligence layer for financial services,” said Oban MacTavish, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Spade. “As AI adoption accelerates, banks can only move toward automated workflows if systems are built on structured and verified transaction data.” Spade’s platform uses a proprietary matching engine and AI tools to update and refine transaction data, including merchant categories and location details. The company said this approach improves over time as more transactions are processed.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by wirestock via Freepik The post Spade Raises $40M Series B to Tackle Transaction Data Challenges in Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Plaid, a technology platform connecting consumers, financial institutions, and fintech companies, has acquired This Week in Fintech (TWIF). TWIF provides news and analysis for operators, builders, and investors navigating a rapidly evolving fintech industry. Plaid plans to support its growth by providing additional resources, expanding content formats, and creating more opportunities for community engagement, while maintaining the editorial independence and voice of the TWIF team. The existing team will continue to decide what to cover and how. Plaid said the acquisition reflects its commitment to fostering a better-informed ecosystem and looks forward to the continued development of TWIF as a platform for insights and connection within the fintech community.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Plaid Expands into Media with Acquisition of This Week in Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.