EBANX has appointed Marin Mignot as Chief Operating Officer (COO) as the company continues its expansion across more than 20 countries, including its recent entry into the Philippines. The cross-border payments firm has tasked the French executive with strengthening operational efficiency and supporting sustainable growth across its key markets in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Marin Mignot “My focus at EBANX will be on refining processes, strengthening structure, boosting efficiency, and driving growth,” said Mignot. “Think of it as a plane already flying high that needs a faster, more powerful engine to go even further.” Mignot brings an aerospace engineering background and experience from multinational firms such as Ingenico, Worldline, and Capgemini. EBANX CEO and Co-founder João Del Valle said the company benefits from “a COO who thinks like an engineer and operates like a business executive”, noting the importance of anticipating technological and market shifts as the company grows. EBANX’s international operations have expanded steadily, with markets outside Brazil representing 50.7% of total payment volume in 2024, up from 42.9% in 2023. Mignot has extensive experience in emerging markets, having lived and worked across Latin America as well as in Singapore and Malaysia. He said Southeast Asia is undergoing rapid payments transformation driven by “a young demographic, widespread mobile penetration, and a leap from cash directly to digital wallets”. EBANX’s Beyond Borders 2025 report highlights that consumer spending in Asia is expected to rise by 122% over the next decade, while digital commerce in emerging Asian economies is forecast to grow 14% annually through 2027. The Philippines illustrates this shift: despite 98% internet penetration, credit card ownership stands at just 3%, making digital wallets the dominant online payment method, with projected annual growth of 28%. According to Mignot, global companies expanding into Southeast Asia, India, Africa, and Latin America must adapt to local payment habits to succeed. “That’s where operational efficiency meets technological innovation, building infrastructure that scales across diverse markets while remaining locally relevant,” he said.   Featured image credit: EBANX The post EBANX Names Marin Mignot as COO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Morgan Stanley has launched a dedicated research product covering private companies, joining rivals such as JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup amid growing investor interest in unlisted startups. The bank this week opened a page for private-company content on its research portal, which “will spotlight the innovators and trends that are reshaping traditional business paradigms,” according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg. The page will feature reports on private companies’ impact on public-market competitors, research on individual firms, a series on venture capital activity, and multimedia content. Katy Huberty, Morgan Stanley’s Global Director of Research, said in an interview: Katy Huberty “Now more than ever, it’s critical and a strategic imperative to focus on private-company coverage. Our private strategy, along with expanding thematic leadership, are our top priorities for the research department next year, and we are hiring on the back of both of those priorities.” Since 2017, the bank has published over 100 reports on private companies, with more than 65 issued this year. Two analysts who previously covered public firms have now shifted focus: Stephen Byrd, formerly a utilities analyst, now covers companies powering data centres, while Adam Jonas, long-time Tesla analyst, now tracks firms embedding artificial intelligence in robotics, including Saronic Technologies and 1X Technologies. Huberty added that centralised teams are being built to analyse private markets from sectoral and thematic perspectives, supporting public-company analysts in expanding coverage to private firms. Other banks are also increasing private-company coverage. JPMorgan has published reports on five private companies since July, including OpenAI and Stripe while Citigroup hired Heath Terry from Balyasny Asset Management to lead coverage of the private AI sector. Previously overlooked due to limited financial disclosure, many private firms have grown too large to ignore. OpenAI’s estimated US$500 billion valuation would rank it among the top 20 S&P 500 companies. Globally, PitchBook data shows nearly 1,600 startups valued at US$1 billion or more, with a combined value of roughly US$6.5 trillion as of 5 November, up 22% from the end of last year. Banks are also expanding investor access to private firms. Morgan Stanley’s Spark Private Company Conference this year featured 85 tech leaders, up 35% from 2024, while its annual technology, media and telecom conference included 58 private companies, compared with 39 in 2021. In October, the bank agreed to acquire EquityZen, facilitating wealth clients’ investment in private companies.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by masaideeabdulkoday70 via Freepik The post Morgan Stanley Launches Dedicated Private-Company Research appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Singapore and Germany have agreed to work on tokenised cross-border settlement under a new MoU between the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Deutsche Bundesbank. The cooperation aims to improve international financial transactions, including flows between both countries. The agreement covers joint development of settlement solutions that can reduce the cost and processing time of cross-border transfers. The two central banks will also promote common standards for payments, foreign exchange and securities flows involving tokenised assets to support interoperability across digital asset platforms. The partnership builds on MAS’ Project Guardian, launched in 2022 to explore how asset tokenisation can enhance liquidity and market efficiency. The Bundesbank joined the Guardian Policymaker Group in November 2024. Both regulators said the collaboration augments the strong financial cooperation between Singapore and Germany. Leong Sing Chiong Leong Sing Chiong, MAS Deputy Managing Director (Markets and Development), said, “Through this new partnership with the Deutsche Bundesbank on digital asset settlement, we hope to enhance financial connectivity in ways that benefit individuals, corporates and financial market participants in both our economies. This also lays the groundwork for future digital financial infrastructure.” Burkhard Balz Burkhard Balz, Bundesbank Executive Board Member, added, “The partnership with MAS reflects our shared commitment to advancing new financial infrastructures. Together, we aim to foster technological innovation and set new standards for efficiency and interoperability in international payments and securities transactions.”   This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore.  The post Singapore and Germany Regulators Team Up on Tokenised Cross-Border Settlement appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Zürcher Kantonalbank has announced the first close of its second Swiss Growth Fund, securing capital commitments of CHF 171.65 million. The fundraising process began in March 2025 and has, within eight months, reached nearly the total amount raised by the first Swiss Growth Fund, which closed in March 2020 at CHF 180.6 million. The number of investors has also risen from 36 in the previous fund to 45 in this second fund. Iwan Deplazes “The result reflects the trust placed in us by both existing and new investors, especially in a challenging fundraising environment,” said Iwan Deplazes, Head of Asset Management at Zürcher Kantonalbank. The final close of the fund is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. Until then, it will remain open to qualified investors with a long-term investment outlook and tolerance for illiquid positions. Pension funds may also access the fund through the Swisscanto Investment Foundation. Under Article 53, paragraph 1, letters dter and/or e of the Ordinance on Occupational Retirement, Survivors’ and Disability Pension Plans (BVV 2), these qualify as alternative investments in private equity and may be classified as unlisted Swiss investments. Following this first close, the fund will begin investing in unlisted Swiss and European growth companies, focusing on healthcare, industrials, and information and data services. While the majority of investments will target Swiss-based companies, Zürcher Kantonalbank’s Asset Management division also has access to opportunities abroad. The Swiss Growth Fund II is the third programme within Zürcher Kantonalbank’s Private Markets initiative, alongside the first Swiss Growth Fund and the globally focused Decarbonisation Fund, which closed in October 2024. “With nearly CHF 500 million in assets under management across three private equity programmes, and a growing team, we continue to strengthen our position in Swiss growth and decarbonisation investments,” Deplazes added.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Zürcher Kantonalbank Closes First Round of Swiss Growth Fund II at CHF 171.65M appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The Board of Directors of radicant bank has decided, in consultation with its majority shareholder, Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB), to cease its business operations. radicant holding ag and radicant business services ag will also cease their activities. On September 23, the BLKB Board resolved to end its engagement with radicant. Following a review of various sale options, no solution could be found to continue the bank’s operations. Consequently, the radicant Board, in coordination with BLKB, has decided to cease business activities. The planned exit from banking will be carried out in an orderly manner, in the interests of customers, employees, and external partners. The process will be coordinated with BLKB as the principal shareholder. Bruno Meyer, CEO of radicant, said: Bruno Meyer “Our priority is the consistent pursuit of optimal solutions for our customers, alongside responsible support for our employees. At the same time, radicant places great importance on providing open and transparent information.” Bruno Meyer was appointed CEO of radicant less than a month ago, on October 27. All obligations towards customers, employees, and partners will continue to be fully met. Those affected will be informed of the next steps in a transparent manner.   Featured image credit: radicant The post radicant bank to Cease Operations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The Bank of England has published a consultation paper setting out its proposed regulatory framework for sterling-denominated systemic stablecoins. These stablecoins are a new form of digital money designed to maintain a stable value and could be used for retail payments and wholesale settlement in the future. The consultation represents a step towards preparing for a future in which new types of digital money may be used alongside existing forms, providing additional options for payments. The proposals build on feedback received in response to the Bank’s November 2023 discussion paper and reflect its role in maintaining public trust in money as payments innovation accelerates. The consultation sets out a framework intended to be robust, future-proof, and aligned with the National Payments Vision and the strategy of the Payments Vision Delivery Committee to modernise UK retail payments. The Bank’s proposed regime would not cover stablecoins used as assets for non-systemic purposes, such as the buying and selling of cryptoassets, which remains the predominant use of stablecoins today. Such stablecoins will continue to be supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Key policy proposals include requirements for backing assets. In response to feedback, systemic stablecoin issuers would be allowed to hold up to 60% of backing assets in short-term UK government debt. For the remaining 40%, the Bank would provide issuers with unremunerated accounts at the Bank of England, supporting robust redemption and public confidence even under stress. Issuers considered systemic at launch, or transitioning from the FCA regime, would initially be able to hold up to 95% of backing assets in short-term UK government debt to support their viability during growth. The Bank is also considering central bank liquidity arrangements to support systemic stablecoin issuers in times of stress, providing a backstop should issuers be unable to monetise their backing assets in private markets. The Bank is proposing temporary holding limits of £20,000 per coin for individuals and £10 million for businesses, with an exemptions regime for the largest businesses. These limits would be removed once the transition no longer poses risks to the provision of finance to the real economy. The limits would not apply to stablecoins used for settling wholesale financial market transactions within the Bank and FCA’s Digital Securities Sandbox. The consultation also sets out the Bank’s approach to quantifying risks to the provision of finance arising from potentially significant and rapid outflows of bank deposits into new forms of digital money and invites feedback on alternative mechanisms to manage these risks. Sarah Breeden, Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, said: Sarah Breeden “We’ve listened carefully to feedback and amended our proposals for achieving this, including on how stablecoin issuers interact with the Bank of England. These proposals are fit for a future where stablecoins play a meaningful role in payments, giving the industry the clarity it needs to plan with confidence.” Non-systemic stablecoin issuers will continue to be regulated by the FCA. If recognised as systemic by HM Treasury, they will transition to the Bank’s regime and be jointly regulated, with the Bank overseeing prudential and financial stability risks, and the FCA continuing to supervise conduct and consumer protection. The Bank and FCA plan to publish a joint approach document in 2026 to clarify how rules will apply in practice and support a smooth transition between regimes. The consultation remains open until 10 February 2026. Following this, the Bank will consider responses before consulting on and finalising Codes of Practice later in 2026, which will set out detailed requirements for systemic stablecoins.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by wirestock via Freepik The post Bank of England Consults on Sterling Systemic Stablecoin Regulations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

TransferMate, an Ireland-based provider of embedded B2B payments infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), has partnered with Germany’s SAP to offer cross-border payment services to businesses using SAP solutions. Through the partnership, TransferMate acts as a non-bank payments provider integrated with SAP Multi-Bank Connectivity, enabling businesses to process international payments directly within their SAP Cloud ERP or SAP S/4HANA Cloud environments without relying on external platforms. SAP Multi-Bank Connectivity allows SAP Cloud ERP and SAP S/4HANA Cloud users to link with payment providers to send and receive funds securely. The integration gives businesses access to TransferMate’s services for global payables, receivables, and stored funds within the SAP environment, supporting the efficient movement of international funds through a regulated network. Selected to facilitate international payments, TransferMate provides a scalable, integrated B2B payments solution that supports companies’ digital operations and financial management needs.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post TransferMate Partners with SAP to Streamline Cross-Border Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

US-based private equity firm Thoma Bravo is set to extract around US$1bn from US cybersecurity company Ping Identity through a dividend recapitalisation financed by new syndicated debt, according to Bloomberg. Ping Identity, headquartered in Denver, provides identity security solutions to enterprise clients. The firm is arranging a US$1.8bn broadly syndicated loan to refinance Ping’s existing US$792m private credit facility and fund a US$1.12bn dividend payment to shareholders. The deal, led by JPMorgan Chase, marks one of the largest private credit-to-syndicated market refinancings of 2025. Thoma Bravo took Ping private in 2022 in a US$2.8bn acquisition, financed partly by US$1bn of private credit provided by a consortium led by Blue Owl Capital and Sixth Street Partners. The new financing package is expected to save Ping more than US$10m in annual interest costs. The transaction reflects a broader market trend, as private equity firms that relied on private credit during periods of rising interest rates are now refinancing those facilities in the syndicated loan market to secure better pricing and enhanced liquidity. Ping’s accelerated commitment deadline for the new loan demonstrates strong investor demand, signalling renewed appetite for leveraged finance deals after a period of subdued issuance. Thoma Bravo’s move follows similar actions by other large sponsors, including US-based Vista Equity Partners, which have capitalised on the improving credit environment to refinance costly private loans. The recapitalisation will provide Thoma Bravo with substantial liquidity while allowing Ping to benefit from lower financing costs and a broader lender base, marking one of the most significant refinancing transactions in the software sector this year.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by tawatchai07 via Freepik The post Thoma Bravo Secures US$1B from Ping Identity via Dividend Recap appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

MoneyGram has announced a strategic partnership with Oscilar, an AI risk decisioning platform, to strengthen its next-generation risk infrastructure. The collaboration supports MoneyGram’s AI-first strategy by integrating real-time risk intelligence across its global network to improve efficiency, agility, and performance. To maintain high compliance and consumer protection standards, MoneyGram is enhancing its systems with adaptive risk intelligence through Oscilar’s platform. Anthony Soohoo “At MoneyGram, we’re reimagining the future of work by embracing AI across all corners of the organisation,” said Anthony Soohoo, Chief Executive Officer at MoneyGram. “As part of our transformation, we’re investing in next-generation intelligent infrastructure, positioning ourselves for smarter, faster, and safer outcomes. That’s especially important when it comes to our global risk management engine, and that’s where Oscilar comes in.” Oscilar’s AI Risk Decisioning Platform is designed for continuous learning, real-time inference, and automated decision-making. Its unified approach to fraud prevention, anti-money laundering (AML), and compliance operations aims to reduce cost and complexity while improving detection accuracy and decision-making speed. This upgrade also supports MoneyGram’s ongoing innovation efforts, including its stablecoin-based services. Oscilar’s technology will underpin MoneyGram’s new risk infrastructure with features such as automated rule optimisation, fraud network detection, device fingerprinting, and behavioural analytics to strengthen protection against emerging threats. Neha Narkhede “MoneyGram is leading the way in modernising global payments by embracing an AI-first approach to risk,” said Neha Narkhede, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Oscilar. “We’re proud to support its transition to real-time, intelligent, and scalable infrastructure that meets the demands of modern payments.” The partnership aims to unify MoneyGram’s risk and compliance functions on a single scalable platform. Expected outcomes include improved digital identity verification, reduced friction for legitimate users, enhanced operational efficiency, faster data migration, and greater regulatory transparency through better audit trails and reporting.   Featured image credit: MoneyGram The post MoneyGram Partners with Oscilar to Upgrade Global Risk Systems appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Revolut is reportedly preparing to open a new branch in Stockholm this year as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence across the Nordic region and compete directly with Klarna. According to Retail Banker International, the UK-based digital bank aims to grow its Nordic customer base from two million to three million by the end of next year, with Sweden accounting for roughly half of its regional users. The expansion not only positions Revolut against Klarna but also challenges established Nordic banks that currently dominate household deposits, said Antoine Le Nel, Revolut’s Chief Growth Officer. The forthcoming Stockholm branch will operate under Revolut’s European banking license, issued in Lithuania, allowing it to provide Swedish International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs). This will enable customers to receive salaries, set up direct debits, and process local transfers directly through their Revolut accounts. Revolut also plans to introduce new offerings in the region, including daily-interest savings accounts in Nordic currencies, commission-free exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing, and Apple’s tap-to-pay functionality for small businesses. The company has already begun recruitment efforts across Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark, while bolstering its compliance, operations, and risk management teams to support regional expansion. In an interview, Le Nel stated: Antoine Le Nel “Our true competitors are the local, traditional banks. Then there are obviously some very strong buy-now-pay-later players. But it’s a bit more niche versus the full breadth of activities that we’re offering.” Klarna currently serves around 80% of Sweden’s population and has 110 million users globally, with a market valuation nearing US$14 billion. Revolut, which has approximately 65 million users worldwide, aims to reach 100 million within the next two years. The company is also pursuing a US$75 billion valuation as it concludes its latest fundraising round. Its operations now span 40 markets, with ambitions to expand to 70 by 2030. In its home market, Revolut continues to face delays in securing a UK banking license amid regulatory concerns over its risk management capabilities as it scales globally.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik The post Revolut to Open Stockholm Branch in Bid to Challenge Klarna and Nordic Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

VAST Data, the AI operating system company, has signed a commercial agreement worth US$1.17 billion with CoreWeave, a cloud provider for AI workloads. The expanded partnership confirms CoreWeave’s continued use of the VAST AI OS as its primary data platform. The VAST AI OS enables CoreWeave’s infrastructure to provide access to large datasets and support both training and inference workloads. Its scalable architecture allows deployment in any data centre without concerns over platform reliability or scale. Under the expansion, CoreWeave and VAST will offer data services across the full stack, optimising pipelines and supporting model development. Renen Hallak “At VAST, we are building the data foundation for the most ambitious AI initiatives in the world,” said Renen Hallak, Founder and CEO of VAST Data. “Our deep integration with CoreWeave is the result of a long-term commitment to working side by side at both the business and technical level. By aligning our roadmaps, we are delivering an AI platform that organisations cannot find anywhere else in the market.” Brian Venturo “The VAST AI Operating System underpins key aspects of how we design and deliver our AI cloud,” said Brian Venturo, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of CoreWeave. “This partnership enables us to deliver AI infrastructure that is performant, scalable, and cost-efficient, while reinforcing the trust and reliability of a data platform that our customers depend on for their most demanding workloads.” The agreement supports a shared objective to advance data and compute architecture for AI, combining CoreWeave’s GPU-accelerated infrastructure with the VAST AI OS to support continuous training, real-time inference, and large-scale data processing.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post VAST Data Secures $1.17B Deal with CoreWeave to Power AI Cloud Infrastructure appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

OSL Group, a stablecoin trading and payment infrastructure provider in Asia, has entered a strategic cooperation with Bank Frick. The partnership gives OSL access to on/off-ramp services for multiple fiat currencies, allowing regulated exchanges between fiat and digital assets for OSL and its institutional clients. As part of the cooperation, OSL is integrated into Bank Frick’s xPULSE network, a system that facilitates instant fiat transfers with established regulatory and operational standards. George Qiao, Head of Trading & Fiat at OSL Group, said: George Qiao “Access to Bank Frick’s xPULSE network provides our clients with a reliable and efficient fiat gateway, which is a critical component of our institutional service offering.” Mirko Pfiffner, Solutions Manager, Blockchain Banking Solutions at Bank Frick, added: “The cooperation with the OSL Group marks another milestone in our commitment to building a strong and trusted digital asset ecosystem. OSL brings the institutional strength and experience that perfectly complements our xPULSE network.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by wirestock via Freepik The post OSL Teams Up with Bank Frick for Fiat Gateway Integration appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Lloyds Banking Group will launch a large-scale AI-powered financial assistant to help more than 21 million customers manage their money through its mobile app. The launch marks a significant step in the Group’s plan to embed AI across its operations to enhance customer experience. Using advanced AI, the assistant will provide round-the-clock personalised financial guidance and act as a financial companion, offering insights and directing customers to human support when required. Lloyds aims to set a precedent for responsible and customer-focused innovation in the sector through the use of agentic AI. Its initial features will include a conversational tool for personalised spending insights and a savings and investment function to support financial planning. Following an initial pilot, Lloyds plans to expand its capabilities to cover more financial products, including mortgages, car finance, and protection services from 2026 onwards. Built on Lloyds Banking Group’s Generative AI and Agentic framework, the assistant integrates curated bank data to ensure responses are accurate and relevant. The system enables natural, secure conversations while maintaining the ability to transfer customers to expert colleagues when needed. Ranil Boteju, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, said: Ranil Boteju “Our AI financial assistant is underpinned by Lloyds Banking Group’s robust AI assurance framework and guardrails, helping deliver safe, explainable and regulated AI-driven interactions. We believe this innovative tool will not only provide our customers with personalised, round-the-clock support, but also set a new benchmark for the responsible and effective use of AI in UK banking.” The assistant uses generative AI for conversations and agentic frameworks to interpret requests, plan actions, and execute tasks, such as converting natural language into code for transaction queries. It is built on a secure and scalable architecture that embeds human accountability and explainability, ensuring reliable and transparent customer interactions.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Who is Danny via Freepik The post Lloyds Banking Group to Launch AI-Powered Financial Assistant appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Fenergo has appointed Hishaam Caramanli as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Reporting to CEO Marc Murphy, Caramanli will oversee the company’s product, engineering, and customer functions, focusing on product development, innovation, and value delivery. Caramanli brings extensive experience in financial technology and product strategy from previous roles at ION Markets, UBS, and Morgan Stanley. Most recently, he served as Group Chief Product Officer at ION Markets, where he led product strategy and delivery across a portfolio generating over €1 billion in revenue. He previously held senior positions as Global Head of UBS Neo and Global Head of Morgan Stanley Matrix, two leading institutional trading platforms. Commenting on his appointment, Hishaam Caramanli said: Hishaam Caramanli “Fenergo has built an impressive platform, particularly with its AI-driven capabilities transforming client lifecycle management. I look forward to working with clients to deliver practical, customer-focused solutions as the industry undergoes significant change.”       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by lifeforstock via Freepik The post Fenergo Appoints Hishaam Caramanli as President and COO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Ripple has announced a collaboration with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to explore the use of Ripple USD (RLUSD) on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a public blockchain designed for fast and secure payments. The initiative aims to test RLUSD as a stablecoin for settling fiat card transactions between Mastercard and WebBank, the issuer of the Gemini Credit Card. Sherri Haymond “Through our partnerships with Ripple, Gemini, and WebBank, we’re using our global payments network to bring regulated, open-loop stablecoin payments into the financial mainstream,” said Sherri Haymond, Global Head of Digital Commercialisation at Mastercard. “Guided by our commitment to consumer choice and strong regulatory compliance, we’re enabling settlement today while exploring how stablecoins can support future use cases.” If implemented, this will be among the first collaborations where a regulated US bank settles traditional card transactions using a regulated stablecoin on a public blockchain. The project builds on Ripple’s ongoing work with Gemini and WebBank on the Gemini Credit Card, which earlier introduced an XRP edition. Jason Lloyd “Banks are uniquely positioned to bridge blockchain technology with the traditional financial system,” said Jason Lloyd, President and CEO of WebBank. “Our collaboration allows us to explore how stablecoins like RLUSD can make institutional payments faster and more efficient while maintaining the security and reliability expected from banks.” RLUSD is a US dollar–backed stablecoin issued under the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Trust Company Charter, fully backed by cash and cash-equivalent reserves. Since its launch in late 2024, RLUSD has reached over US$1 billion in circulation, supported by DeFi platforms, Ripple’s cross-border payment solutions, and institutional users. Over the coming months, the partners will begin initial RLUSD onboarding on the XRPL, subject to regulatory approvals, and plan its integration into Mastercard and WebBank’s settlement processes.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by user15041540 via Freepik The post Ripple, Mastercard, WebBank, Gemini Collaborate on Stablecoin Settlement Using RLUSD appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

dtcpay, a Singaporean digital payments company, has received approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, effective 29 October. The license follows the Green Light Letter issued by the CSSF in July. The approval marks the activation of dtcpay’s European strategy, with Luxembourg serving as its continental headquarters and regulatory hub for the European Economic Area (EEA). The EMI license permits dtcpay to provide services across 30 EEA countries, covering over 450 million consumers and businesses. Alice Liu “This milestone represents a significant achievement for our team. We are highly appreciative of the expert guidance and thoughtful support provided by the CSSF throughout the application process,” said Alice Liu, Group CEO of dtcpay. Founded six years ago, dtcpay focuses on bridging traditional and digital finance through regulated stablecoin infrastructure. With its EMI license now active, alongside a growing list of approvals in other jurisdictions, the company is positioning itself for Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) licensing as it expands its solutions in Europe. dtcpay’s choice of Luxembourg aligns with the European Union’s pro-innovation and high-compliance framework, positioning the company to serve as a regulated gateway for fintechs entering the European market.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Shalev Cohen via Unsplash The post dtcpay Receives EMI License from Luxembourg’s Financial Regulator appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the cryptocurrency sector has surged in 2025, reaching record levels amid accelerating industry consolidation, deeper convergence between traditional finance and digital assets, and a more supportive regulatory landscape. In Q3 2025 alone, the sector recorded 96 announced M&A transactions, totaling US$10.4 billion, according to new data from Architect Partners, a M&A and strategic financing advisory firm specialized in crypto and fintech. These figures represent a staggering 3,367% year-over-year (YoY) increase in M&A value from US$0.3 billion in Q3 2024, and a 191% YoY increase in deal count from 33 deals. Year-to-date, the sector has posted 271 transactions for the first three quarters of 2025, nearly double the 128 recorded during the same period in 2024. Crypto M&A value has reached US$17.7 billion, up 1,262% YoY from US$1.3 billion. Crypto M&A transaction count and consideration paid (US$ in billion), Source: Q3 2025 Crypto M&A and Financing Report, Architect Partners, Oct 2025 Convergence of traditional finance and crypto A key trend in the crypto M&A landscape in 2025 is the growing convergence of traditional finance institutions and the crypto sector. In September, British online trading platform IG Group acquired Independent Reserve, an Australian crypto exchange, for an initial enterprise value of AUD 178 million (US$116 million). The acquisition aims to accelerate IG’s entry into cryptocurrency markets in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and complement its ongoing efforts to expand crypto offerings organically in the UK and US. IG, one of the 250 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), provides online trading platforms, offering access to about 19,000 financial markets worldwide. That same month, Solowin Holdings, a Hong Kong-based financial services firm providing solutions to traditional and decentralized finance, acquired AlloyX for US$350 million. Alloyx is a startup focused on cross-border payments and institutional-grade asset tokenization through stablecoin infrastructure. The deal aims to integrate AlloyX’s technology into Solowin’s compliant financial ecosystem, activating its global stablecoin strategy. Gaining in scale and entering new markets Another key trend in 2025 is consolidation, with crypto firms acquiring competitors to scale operations and enter new markets. In July, Cold Wallet acquired competitor Plus Wallet for US$270 million, onboarding over two million users to its platform. Also in July, Australia-based crypto exchange Swyftx acquired Caleb & Brown, a US crypto brokerage and asset manager focused on high-net-worth (HNW) private investors. The deal, valued in the AUD 100-200 million (US$66-132 million) range, aims to give Swyftx access to the US, one of the world’s leading digital assets’ market. Caleb & Brown provides crypto brokerage, asset management and research services to thousands of private clients in the US, as well as Australia, managing over AUD 2 billion (US$1.3 billion) in digital assets. Expanding capabilities A third major M&A trend in 2025 is capability expansion, with leading crypto firms snapping up younger innovators to expand their capabilities and build more comprehensive digital asset ecosystems. In July, Coinbase, the largest US crypto exchange, acquired LiquiFi. LiquiFi is a token management platform offering tools for token cap table management, vesting, and compliance. Its acquisition will allow Coinbase to partner more effectively with onchain builders and early-stage teams launching and managing their own tokens. Over time, Coinbase plans to integrate these capabilities with Coinbase Prime, the company’s institutional-grade crypto exchange platform, to offer a comprehensive, end-to-end platform for token creation, custody, trading, and compliance. The transaction followed Coinbase’s US$2.9 billion acquisition of derivative platform Deribit in May. Deribit is a leading crypto options exchange by volume and open interest, with roughly US$60 billion of current platform open interest, and over US$1 trillion traded last year. Another leading crypto firm, Ripple, has also been active on the acquisition front. In August, it announced its US$200 million acquisition of stablecoin startup Rail. The acquisition aims to boost Ripple’s position as a leader in digital asset payments infrastructure, and add capabilities including virtual accounts and automated back-office infrastructure. This deal followed Ripple’s earlier acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road and corporate-treasury firm GTreasury for more than US$2 billion. Meanwhile, Talos, a provider of institutional trading and portfolio technology for digital assets, acquired in July Coin Metrics, a crypto data provider. The acquisition will see Talos integrate Coin Metrics’ extensive crypto market data, blockchain analytics and benchmark indexes, to create an integrated data and investment management platform. Like Coinbase and Ripple, Talos has pursued an active acquisition strategy, previously acquiring Cloudwall, a risk management technology provider; Skolem, an infrastructure platform for institutional decentralized finance (DeFi) trading; and D3X Systems, a portfolio construction platform for systematic investment in digital assets. It aims to build the most comprehensive, one-stop solution for all institutional trading workflows in digital assets. An improved regulatory landscape Crypto M&A activity is surging this year on the back of a more favorable regulatory environment. In the US, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act was signed into law on July 18, marking the US’s first major national cryptocurrency legislation. The bill aims to regulate the stablecoin market, creating a clearer framework for banks, companies and other entities to issue digital currencies. Earlier, in 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lifted the ban on spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), approving 11 spot bitcoin ETFs. These instruments generated a combined trading volume of US$4.7 billion on day one, reflecting their appeal and convenience. In the European Union, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation entered into force last year, marking the first comprehensive crypto framework introduced by a major global economy. Key components of MiCA include licensing requirements for crypto-asset service providers, specific travel requirements, as well as rules covering the treatment of stablecoins. Sustained momentum Crypto M&A activity is expected to remain strong through the final quarter of 2025, supported by prominent transactions. In late October, FalconX, an institutional digital asset prime brokerage, announced an agreement to acquire 21shares, the provider of the world’s largest suite of crypto ETFs and exchange-traded products (ETPs). The deal aims to bring together 21shares’ expertise in asset management product development and distribution with FalconX’s institutional-grade infrastructure, structuring capabilities, and risk management platform, addressing the growing institutional and retail demand for regulated digital asset exposure with tailored investment products. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Zurich, 21shares specializes in digital asset ETPs and manages over US$11 billion in assets across 55 listed products. Crypto brokerage FalconX has facilitated more than US$2 trillion in trading volume, serving a global client base exceeding 2,000 institutions. The firm has been expanding rapidly, acquiring in January crypto derivatives trading firm Arbelos Markets, and taking a majority stake in Monarq Asset Management, a multi-strategy investment firm, in June, alongside expansions in Latin America, APAC, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by sitthiphong via Freepik The post Crypto M&A Reaches New Record with Total Value Surging More Than 34-Fold YoY appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Obligate, a Zurich-based company specialising in on-chain capital markets, has completed a US$3 million capital increase led by Exponential Science Capital, alongside a public crowdfunding campaign. The raise follows growing client demand for on-chain investment products and tokenisation solutions, with the firm reporting it has reached profitability. The funding will support the company’s plans to scale its operations and expand its global presence. More than 150 new investors participated through a Republic Europe crowdfunding campaign, alongside industry figures including Yuval Rooz (Founder of Digital Asset & Canton Network), Seamus Donoghue (former Chief Growth Officer at Metaco and VP Growth at Ripple), and Khalid Howladar (former Moody’s Head of GCC Banks & Securitisation, Global Head of Islamic Finance). The round reflects Obligate’s strategy of combining institutional and community participation. The funds will be used to accelerate product development and enhance interoperability across multiple networks, including Hedera, Canton, and Solana. Obligate plans to launch flagship yield products investing in diversified portfolios of on-chain debt securities and structured products, aiming to widen access to digital fixed income opportunities. The company also intends to strengthen its distribution network and secondary market partnerships to improve liquidity and expand access to global on-chain capital markets. Matthias Wyss, Chief Executive Officer of Obligate, commented: Matthias Wyss “The companies issuing investment products on our platform are financing real projects and real commerce, directly contributing to economies around the world, which in itself represents the true essence of Real-World Assets (RWAs). Our growth strategy is built on this foundation, addressing real market needs rather than chasing hype.”       Featured image credit: Obligate The post Obligate Secures $3M to Strengthen On-Chain Capital Markets Operations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

UBS has completed an in-production, end-to-end tokenised fund workflow using the Chainlink Digital Transfer Agent (DTA) technical standard. The transaction involved an on-chain subscription and redemption request for the UBS USD Money Market Investment Fund Token (uMINT), a money market fund built on Ethereum distributed ledger technology. DigiFT acted as the on-chain fund distributor, using the DTA standard to process the subscription and redemption order. The workflow supports all stages of the fund lifecycle, including order taking, execution, settlement, and data synchronisation between on-chain and off-chain systems. Mike Dargan, Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer at UBS, said: Mike Dargan “Through our UBS Tokenize initiative, we are committed to supporting the development of digital strategies and products that meet our clients’ evolving needs.” Sergey Nazarov, Co-Founder of Chainlink, said: Sergey Nazarov “This milestone with UBS and DigiFT shows how Chainlink can power secure, compliant, and scalable workflows for tokenised assets. It demonstrates how traditional finance can transition to on-chain environments with the reliability and efficiency required by institutions.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Claudio Schwarz via Unsplash The post UBS Completes Tokenised Fund Workflow Using Chainlink DTA Standard appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Swiss robo-advisor True Wealth has emerged as the provider of the cheapest online Pillar 3a product in Switzerland that combines a large stock component with a broadly diversified portfolio, according to new research by online comparison service Moneyland.ch. The Moneyland.ch study, which compared the costs of online Pillar 3a asset management services over a ten-year term with a monthly payment of CHF 500 (US$619), or a total of CHF 60,000 (US$74,000), found that True Wealth offers the cheapest digital retirement savings solution. This portfolio, offering significant equity exposure and diversification, carries a total cost of CHF 424-635 (US$525-786) over a ten-year period. This cost includes both the asset management fees charged by the service provider, and the product fees charged for the investment products used. True Wealth offers fully automated investment management using globally diversified portfolios of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs), tailored to each client’s risk profile. Founded in 2013 and based in Zurich, it provides both regular investment accounts and Pillar 3a solutions, claiming approximately 35,000 customers, and over CHF 2 billion (US$2.5 billion) in clients’ assets under management (AUM). Switzerland’s pension system Pillar 3 is one of the three components of Switzerland’s pension system. It represents voluntary private savings, and is encouraged through tax incentives, allowing individuals to make additional provisions for retirement, disability, or death. Pillar 3 consists of two parts: Pillar 3a is the tied pension provision, offers tax advantages, with funds typically placed in savings accounts, investment funds, or insurance policies; while Pillar 3b represents flexible pension provision with no tax benefits but also no withdrawal restrictions. The other two pillars comprising the Swiss pension system are Pillar 1, which is the mandatory state pension financed through payroll contributions shared by employers and employees, and Pillar 2, which is the mandatory employer-based pension funded jointly by employers and employees through pension funds. Lowest-cost online Pillar 3a solutions in Switzerland While True Wealth is recognized as the provider of the lowest-cost, equity-focused Pillar 3a product in Switzerland, the Moneyland.ch study notes that, in absolute terms, the cheapest online Pillar 3a product is actually offered by LibertyGreen, with total costs of CHF 303 (US$375) over the 10-year term. However, this particular offer includes only a stock component of 25%. LibertyGreen portfolios with higher stock allocations can cost up to CHF 1,150 (US$1,422), placing them among the more expensive options. LibertyGreen is a solution launched in 2021 by Liberty Pension (Liberty). It’s “the first green Pillar 3a” product in Switzerland, investing with a special focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Following True Wealth and Liberty Green is Viac. This provider actually pioneered online Pillar 3a asset management, launching Switzerland’s first Pillar 3a robo-advisor in 2017. For a CHF 60,000 investment over ten years, Viac’s total costs range from CHF 484 to CHF 1,331 (US$599-1,648). Viac is a Basel-based fintech company offering low-cost, fully digital solutions for retirement savings and investing. It claims more than 100,000 customers, managing assets of approximately CHF 4 billion (US$5 billion). Most expensive online Pillar 3a asset management solutions At the other end of the spectrum are Liberty, Radicant Bank, and Selma, with total ten-year costs of CHF 2,390-3,267 (US$2,958-4,045), CHF 2,571-2,783 (US$3,183-3,446), and CHF 2,597 (US$3,215), respectively. Founded in 2005, Liberty is a provider of comprehensive and modular pension solutions in Switzerland; Radicant Bank is a digital sustainability bank and a subsidiary of Basel Land Kantonal Bank with 18,000 customers; and Selma is a personal investment assistant helping its 15,000 clients invest and manage their finances based on personalized financial planning. Though these offers are among the most expensive online options studied by Moneyland.ch, they remain significantly cheaper than classic retirement funds managed by traditional banks, which can cost between CHF 3,000-5,000 (US$) for the same invested amount over ten years. Costs of online Pillar 3a asset management services, Source: Moneyland.ch, Oct 2025 Pillar 3a is one the preferred way for the Swiss to hold and invest their wealth. According to a 2025 Moneyland.ch survey, 61% of the 1,500 Swiss residents polled use a Pillar 3a account and 52% use a Pillar 3a investment solution. This places Pillar 3a solutions ahead of real estate (43%), life insurance (42%), and stocks (42%). These findings are consistent with results from a Migros Bank study, in which 58% of the 1,521 Swiss residents surveyed reported investing their money in a Pillar 3a product. Use of different asset classes by Switzerland’s residents, Source: 2025 Swiss investment survey, Moneyland.ch, Jul 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on images by michelangeloop and rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Who Offers the Lowest-Cost Equity-Focused Online Pillar 3a Solution in Switzerland? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.