Invesco, a global asset manager, has been appointed as Zopa’s preferred asset manager partner as the UK digital bank expands into the investment market. The partnership aims to support first-time investors in deploying their cash and planning for their financial future. Through the collaboration, Zopa customers will gain access to Invesco’s investment expertise alongside Zopa’s customer-focused platform. At launch, two of Invesco’s multi-asset summit responsible funds will be made available to Zopa customers, with wider access planned for 2026, using Upvest’s API infrastructure. Oliver Bilal, Head of EMEA Distribution at Invesco, said: Oliver Bilal “As digital platforms reshape how people engage with their finances, we see tremendous opportunity to make investing simpler and more accessible. By combining Zopa’s customer-first approach with Invesco’s global investment expertise, we aim to break down barriers and empower individuals to build long-term financial resilience.” Merve Ferrero, Chief Strategy Officer at Zopa Bank, said: Merve Ferrero “Bringing Investments and Stocks & Shares ISA accounts alongside savings and cash ISAs under one roof gives our customers more financial control, all within a simple, education-led platform.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by ariyenrahul806 via Freepik The post Zopa Partners Invesco to Bring Investment Services to First-Time Investors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Deblock, a French-based fintech focused on on-chain financial infrastructure, has closed a €30 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Speedinvest, with participation from CommerzVentures and Latitude, alongside existing investors Shapers, Headline, Chalfen Ventures, and Triton Capital (formerly Kraken Ventures). The funding will support Deblock’s expansion across Europe and the acceleration of its product development. The company aims to address inefficiencies in traditional banking, where lengthy procedures and extensive information requirements can limit users’ ability to manage funds quickly and transparently. Deblock plans to introduce new products in the coming months designed to provide users with greater control over their financial activities, building on its commitment to fully on-chain financial services.   Featured image credit: Deblock The post Deblock Raises €30 Million Series A to Expand Across Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Liverpool FC has appointed PayPal as the club’s official digital payments partner under a new global, multi-year agreement. This marks PayPal’s first collaboration with a Premier League club. PayPal will become Liverpool FC’s preferred digital payment method. The service is already available across the club’s digital platforms and will be more prominently featured on checkout and payment screens across LFC’s e-commerce and All Red platforms. PayPal branding will also be visible at Anfield and St Helens Stadium during matches. The partnership will include the launch of PayPal+, the company’s new loyalty programme, enabling fans to earn rewards when making matchday purchases. Liverpool FC and PayPal will also collaborate on initiatives to raise the profile of Liverpool FC Women and support grassroots football through LFC Foundation. Ben Latty, Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool FC, said: Ben Latty “PayPal is one of the most recognised and trusted names in digital payments and we’re delighted to welcome them to the LFC family. Their expertise in providing fast, secure and flexible transactions makes them the ideal partner to help us elevate the experience for supporters worldwide.” Geoff Seeley, Chief Marketing Officer at PayPal, added: Geoff Seeley “Our global collaboration with LFC reinforces our relationship with sports fans everywhere. We’re offering customers a seamless and flexible experience that rewards them for doing something they love, whether buying the new kit or grabbing a pint at the match. PayPal is the smarter way to pay for LFC and sports fans globally.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by lifeforstock via Freepik The post Liverpool FC Names PayPal as Official Digital Payments Partner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Hedge funds around the world are increasing their exposure to cryptocurrencies, using a wide range of routes to invest in the asset class to diversify their holdings and capture gains, a new study by the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and PwC found. The study, released earlier this month, surveyed 122 institutional investors and hedge fund managers from across the globe in the first half of 2025, examining both traditional hedge funds that are investing less than half their assets under management (AUM) in digital assets, and crypto fund managers, which allocate more than 50% of their total AUM in crypto assets to gauge market sentiment. The study found that a growing number of traditional hedge funds are choosing to gain exposure to crypto assets. Over the past year, the share of these funds with exposure to the asset class rose eight points, increasing from 47% in 2024 to 55% this year. On average, they are allocating slightly more of their AUM to crypto at 7%, up from 6% the previous year. However, over half still commit less than 2%, reflecting a cautious approach as most funds are still building familiarity and confidence in the asset class. Traditional hedge funds invested, by crypto AUM (2025), Source: 7th Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report, Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and PwC, Nov 2025 Exposure to crypto assets is expected to continue increasing. Among the traditional hedge funds surveyed, 71% are planning to increase their exposure over the next 12 months. Diversification was cited as the primary motivation for 47% of managers, followed by market-neutral alpha (27%) as they seek generate return independently of overall market movements, and asymmetric returns (13%), a strategy which aims to capture more upside than downside. Favorable regulations drive crypto adoption This bullishness towards cryptocurrencies among hedge funds is being driven by favorable regulations in the US. Among traditional hedge funds with crypto exposure, 57% reported greater willingness to invest, 29% cited rising investor interest, 14% noted easier access to banking and another 14% are now expanding US operations amid clearer regulations. Over the past year, 79% have increased allocations, and 71% expect to grow exposure further in the next 12 months. Crypto-focused fund managers share a similarly positive outlook. 24% see clearer regulatory guidance spurring greater investment, 22% are scaling their US operations, and 16% are benefiting from improved banking access. Like traditional funds, most also increased their crypto exposure (54%) over the past year, with 56% planning to expand it further in the coming year. Traditional hedge funds invested and crypto hedge funds, by strategic impact of evolving US regulatory environment (2025), Source: 7th Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report, Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and PwC, Nov 2025 Derivatives, spot and ETFs as the preferred crypto instruments Among traditional hedge funds, crypto derivatives are the dominant trading instruments, used by 67% of respondents. The figure marks a 9 point increase from 58% in 2024. Crypto derivatives allow managers to take positions on future price movements without holding the underlying assets, and are most popular during period of heightened market volatility. Ranking second is spot crypto trading, which also grew, rising from 25% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. Spot trading involves buying and selling digital assets at their current market prices. It allows for direct ownership, enabling investors to use their holdings as collateral or for yield generation within decentralized lending pools. ETFs and exchange-traded products (ETPs) rank third, with 33% of traditional hedge funds gaining exposure to crypto through these instruments. The figure marks a 8 points increase from 25% in 2024. Spot crypto ETFs were first introduced in the US in early 2024. These funds invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin or ether, allowing investors to gain exposure without the need for direct ownership or technical expertise. They trade on traditional exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), making them widely accessible. Currently, more than 20 ETFs are available in the US, holding mostly bitcoin, ether, or a combination of both. The first spot XRP ETF started trading on the Nasdaq last week with more crypto ETFs expected in the coming months. Traditional hedge funds invested, by approach to getting exposure (2025), Source: 7th Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report, Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and PwC, Nov 2025 Stablecoins, decentralized finance as emerging trends The AIMA and PwC also delves into rising trends, highlighting stablecoins as an instrument gaining traction amid improving regulation. These cryptocurrencies are designed to maintain price stability, usually by being pegged to an underlying asset like the US dollar. 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. Total issuance of stablecoins has risen by approximately 50% since the beginning of the year, soaring from US$200 billion to over US$300 billion by the end of November. Decentralized finance (DeFi) is another emerging era of interest among hedge funds. DeFi refers to financial services being delivered through smart contracts on a programmable, permissionless blockchain. These services are designed to remove third parties and centralized institutions from financial transactions. 43% of the traditional hedge funds with some exposure to digital assets polled by AIMA and PwC plan to expand into DeFi over the next three years, notably through tokenized funds and assets and the use of DeFi platforms. Barriers to investment Despite rising adoption and a more supportive regulatory environment, many hedge funds remain hesitant. For the 45% of traditional hedge funds with no current crypto exposure, half have no plans to invest in the next three years, 43% remain undecided, and 7% intend to enter the crypto markets within 12 months. These players cited investment mandate restrictions (43%), regulatory and tax uncertainty (29%) and reputational risk concerns (14%) as their principal barriers to investors. Internal culture is another key factor, with 50% citing internal skepticism toward crypto. If these barriers were removed, 14% would invest, and 43% would become more open to considering it. Traditional hedge funds not invested, Source: 7th Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report, Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and PwC, Nov 2025 Crypto hedge funds among fastest-growing segments Crypto hedge funds are among the fastest-growing segments of the hedge fund industry. Average AUM for these funds have reached US$132 million this year, up from US$79 million in 2024 and US$41 million in 2023, reflecting the broader market appetite. Most crypto hedge funds (91%) manage under US$1 billion, and primarily hold bitcoin (86%), ether (80%), solana (73%), and XRP (37%). They mainly use spot crypto trading (69%) and crypto derivatives (67%). Yield or reward generation is a priority for 73% of surveyed crypto fund managers, primarily through custodial staking (39%) and liquid staking (35%).   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Hedge Funds Increase Exposure to Crypto, Fueled by Clearer Regulatory Environment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Following the end of the zero interest-rate policy (ZIRP) phase, the US fintech industry has entered a “leaner era” characterized by investor focus on profitability and efficiency. In this era, growth is being increasingly driven by financial infrastructure, particularly embedded finance and digital assets, according to a new report by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). The October 2025 edition of the Future of Fintech edition looks at the state of the fintech industry in the US, delving into funding and development trends. During the ZIRP era, which ran from 2020 to mid-2022, cheap capital financed capital-heavy lending models. This period has ended, giving way to a more disciplined phase centered on sustainable growth. This change is evident in funding data. In 2022, at the peak of fintech, the sector represented over 20% of US venture capital (VC) investment. The space now accounts for less than 10% of VC dollars. Fintech fundraising, Source: The Future of Fintech 2025, Silicon Valley Bank, Oct 2025 The trend is also reflected in a global shift from early-stage funding toward larger rounds for established venture with strong financial performance. According to CB Insights, mid- and late-stage fintech deals reached a four-year high in 2025, accounting for 22% of all fintech transactions in the first three quarters of the year. In contrast, early-stage deals have declined to 66% of total activity, marking a five-year low. Share of mid- and late-stage deals in global fintech, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2024, CB Insights and Money20/20, Oct 2025 Embedded finance takes center stage In this era, embedded payments and digital assets have become the key drivers of fintech growth, with finance being now directly embedded into software-as-a-service (SaaS). Embedded payments, in particular, is now widespread, with more than half of relevant independent software vendors offering embedded payments in North America in 2025, according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In parallel, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now accustomed to using payments integrated directly into their SaaS platforms. SME adoption of vertical software reached 59% in the US in 2024, compared with 50% just two years earlier. BCG estimates that in North America and Europe, the total addressable market (TAM) for embedded finance is about US$185 billion across four core products, namely payments, capital solutions, accounts, and card issuing. However, current penetration stands at around US$32 billion, leaving significant room for growth. The total addressable market for embedded finance is US$185 billion, with significant opportunity for growth, Source: Boston Consulting Group, Sep 2025 Digital assets reach mainstream adoption Digital assets are another key vertical in the current fintech era, with crypto-focused companies dominating key VC metrics. The median early-stage pre-money valuation for crypto firms now stands at US$45 million, surpassing financial business process software (US$32 million), banking and capital markets (US$31 million), and payments (US$27 million). Crypto’s median valuations are now roughly three times higher than those in alternative lending. Median early-stage pre-money valuation by fintech subsector, Source: The Future of Fintech 2025, Silicon Valley Bank, Oct 2025 In parallel, crypto-focused funds are dominating fintech investing. Funds with a crypto mandate account for two-thirds of all fintech funds. The top quartile internal rate of return (IRR) of these funds stands at 30%, compared with 22% across all VC funds. Crypto funds in the US, Source: The Future of Fintech 2025, Silicon Valley Bank, Oct 2025 The crypto market has reached mainstream maturity, establishing itself as a global store of value on par with conventional global assets. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization has surpassed US$4 trillion, rivaling the world’s most valuable company, NVIDIA, and becoming one-sixth the size of the global gold market. Market capitalization for select global assets, Source: The Future of Fintech 2025, Silicon Valley Bank, Oct 2025 As crypto adoption grows, blockchain’s core utility is driving momentum in stablecoins. These digital assets are pegged to fiat currencies and backed by reserves, bridging the gap between fintech and traditional finance. Institutional players are now exploring stablecoins at scale. JPMorgan is piloting a blockchain settlement system, while retail giants Walmart and Amazon are evaluating stablecoins as alternatives to legacy payment rails like ACH. Market capitalization of top stablecoins, Source: The Future of Fintech 2025, Silicon Valley Bank, Oct 2025 Slower revenue growth but higher investor expectations Another key trend highlighted by SVB is the widening gap between fintech growth rates and investor expectations. For fintech companies, growth has become harder to come by, and yet investors are demanding stronger revenue performance than ever before. Between late 2021 and the end of 2023, revenue growth rates have fallen by over half for fintech companies. Currently, only half of companies with over US$25 million in revenue are growing 25% per year. That’s down from 83% at the end of 2021. While companies are growing slower, investors are expecting more in terms of absolute revenue. Companies raising a Series A round needed just US$1 million in revenue in 2020-2021. Today, that benchmark has quadrupled to roughly US$4 million. Similar trends have also played out at Series B and Series C. Revenue distribution for US VC-backed fintech companies at the time of raise, Source: The Future of Fintech 2025, Silicon Valley Bank, Oct 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by user5604845 via Freepik The post The Future of Fintech: Top Trends According to SVB appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

CV VC, together with the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, has released the German Blockchain Report 2025, analysing venture capital activity in Germany’s blockchain sector from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025. While overall German venture funding rose, blockchain-specific investment declined, representing the lowest share of national venture activity in four years. Globally, venture funding reached US$411.9 billion across 21,872 deals, up 19.5% year-on-year, although deal counts fell 14.2%. North America accounted for 63.1% of global funding. Europe raised US$59.9 billion across 5,708 deals, down 8.7% in funding and 20.9% in deal volume, with a median deal size of US$2.5 million, below the global median. Germany attracted US$9.3 billion across 522 deals. Funding was up 10.4% but deal numbers fell 14.6%, with a median deal size of US$4.9 million and an average of US$17.8 million. Blockchain investment declined overall, with Berlin remaining the main hub, early-stage ventures gaining attention, and data management, verification, and analytics leading sector activity. A US$10 million stablecoin infrastructure round signalled cautious confidence in protocol-level projects, while centralised blockchain financial services contracted and gaming, NFTs, and the metaverse remained steady. The report notes that the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) has clarified rules at the European level but created friction in Germany due to banking law differences. Smaller funding rounds and heavier compliance obligations are affecting early-stage teams. Germany continues to have strong entrepreneurial talent and institutional engagement, but the report highlights that regulatory and funding challenges could limit the country’s role as a blockchain hub.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post German Blockchain Funding Falls to Four-Year Low Despite $9.3B Venture Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Broadridge has announced that Societe Generale has completed its first digital bond issuance in the US using Broadridge’s tokenisation capability. The bonds were issued by Societe Generale-FORGE, the bank’s subsidiary focused on digital assets. The transaction demonstrates how institutions can use tokenisation and permissioned blockchain technology to enable instant settlement and greater transparency while remaining compliant with traditional capital markets practices. Broadridge’s tokenisation capability allows firms to issue, trade, and manage securities in digital form, with features such as privacy controls, credential management, and direct investor ownership. For this transaction, Broadridge and Societe Generale-FORGE used IntellectEU’s Catalyst Blockchain Manager to operate their nodes on the Canton Network. Horacio Barakat “Broadridge is uniquely positioned to lead the tokenisation of corporate and structured bonds, given its proven track record of leveraging blockchain technology and delivering innovative solutions for our clients,” said Horacio Barakat, Head of Digital Innovation at Broadridge. “The expansion of tokenisation beyond treasuries into corporate and structured bonds is an exciting step, one that will help increase the liquidity and utility of these assets across financing and collateral use cases.” This capability complements the Broadridge Distributed Ledger Repo (DLR) platform, which processed an average of US$385 billion in daily repo transactions in October. DLR is designed to settle tokenised real assets and is interoperable with both traditional and blockchain-based market infrastructure, supporting collateral management and liquidity efficiency.   Featured image credit: Societe Generale The post Societe Generale Completes First US Digital Bond Using Broadridge Tokenisation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Mercuryo, Polygon Labs and Mastercard are collaborating to expand Mastercard Crypto Credential to include self-custody wallets. The solution provides simple aliases to replace complex blockchain addresses, aiming to improve inclusivity, security and scalability while supporting trust and standardised verification for users. Polygon Labs will provide the blockchain infrastructure as the first native network to support the solution, while Mercuryo will handle user onboarding. Mastercard’s verification framework underpins the programme, enabling alias-based crypto transfers with faster, lower-cost transactions suitable for digital payments and asset transfers. Mercuryo will onboard users and provide them with an alias after completing know-your-customer (KYC) verification. Once verified, users can link their wallets to their Mastercard Crypto Credential username and may request a Soul Bound Token on the Polygon blockchain. This token signals on-chain that the wallet supports transaction processing, including Travel Rule compliance and verification checks to confirm ownership by a verified user. Users will then be able to receive crypto using their alias and send it in the future, simplifying transfers while maintaining self-custody. Raj Dhamodharan “By streamlining wallet addresses and adding meaningful verification, Mastercard Crypto Credential is building trust in digital token transfers,” said Raj Dhamodharan, Executive Vice President, Blockchain & Digital Assets at Mastercard. “Bringing Mercuryo and Polygon’s specialised expertise together with our infrastructure is making digital assets more accessible and reinforces Mastercard’s commitment to driving secure, intuitive, and scalable blockchain experiences for millions of users globally.” Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder and CEO of Mercuryo, said, Petr Kozyakov “This collaboration will further the path to mass adoption, providing a simplified and streamlined means of sending and receiving digital tokens while users maintain self-custody of their digital assets.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Mastercard Expands Crypto Credential to Self-Custody Wallets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

HSBC is reportedly preparing to expand its tokenised deposits services. The global bank already offers the service in Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and Luxembourg, and now plans to extend it to corporate clients in the US and the UAE beginning next year, Bloomberg reported. HSBC’s Tokenised Deposit Service enables clients to send money locally and across borders within seconds and at any time, according to Manish Kohli, HSBC’s Global Head of Payments Solutions. Manish Kohli “The topic of tokenisation, stablecoins, digital money and digital currencies has obviously gathered so much momentum. We are making big bets in this space,” Kohli said. The report adds that HSBC currently processes transactions in euros, pounds, US dollars, Hong Kong dollars and Singapore dollars, and will add UAE dirhams next year as it expands into the Middle East. The launch is scheduled for the first half of 2026. As Bloomberg noted, HSBC’s move comes as many other banks explore how digital assets can speed up and streamline payments. It also follows the introduction of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which establishes new rules for stablecoins, a rapidly growing category of digital money.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by suwant via Freepik The post HSBC to Expand Tokenised Deposit Services to the US and UAE appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Revolut has announced a global payments partnership with online travel platform Booking.com. Through the partnership, Booking.com customers can now pay via Revolut Pay, Revolut’s one-click checkout solution, with support for multiple currencies. Approximately 9 million Revolut customers have previously used Booking.com, making the collaboration a natural fit. Revolut Pay currently has nearly 2 million monthly active users. The system allows customers to complete bookings in a single click through the Revolut app, with biometric security features applied. Customers using Revolut Pay also earn RevPoints, Revolut’s pan-European debit loyalty programme, which can be redeemed across multiple merchants, including Booking.com, or exchanged for rewards such as airline miles, stays, and gift cards. From 17 November to 3 January, users can earn 10x RevPoints on purchases. Alex Codina, General Manager of Acquiring at Revolut, said: Alex Codina “Our strategy at Revolut is about meeting customers where they are. Given our customers’ passion for travel and the millions of users on Booking.com, this partnership is a natural fit. Integrating Revolut Pay means a faster, more secure, and ultimately more rewarding checkout experience for users.” JC Rodriguez, Senior Director of Commercial Fintech at Booking.com, added: JC Rodriguez “Introducing innovative solutions to make transacting on our platform fast, secure and flexible for all customers is key to that goal. With Revolut’s strong growth in key European markets, this partnership was a natural fit.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Revolut Partners with Booking.com to Offer One-Click Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Crypto exchange Kraken has secured US$800 million in fresh funding to accelerate its plan to bring traditional financial products on-chain. The round includes a US$200 million strategic investment from Citadel Securities at a US$20 billion valuation. Arjun Sethi “This investment represents long-term conviction in Kraken’s mission to build trusted, regulated infrastructure for the open financial system. Our focus has always been straightforward: to create a platform where anyone can trade any asset, anytime, anywhere. The caliber of our new investors reflects both the scale of the opportunity ahead and the depth of alignment around how this infrastructure should be built.” said Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO at Kraken. The primary tranche was backed by Jane Street, DRW Venture Capital, HSG, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management and Tribe Capital, along with a significant commitment from Sethi’s family office. Founded in 2011, Kraken operates a globally scaled and regulated infrastructure stack that supports spot trading, derivatives, equities, tokenised assets, staking and payments. Its vertically integrated architecture covers exchange matching, custody, clearing, settlement, market data and wallet services, which the company said enables rapid deployment of new asset classes while maintaining regulatory and security standards. Kraken reported US$1.5 billion in revenue in 2024 and said it surpassed that figure within the first three quarters of 2025. It added that it has maintained sustained profitability and had raised only US$27 million in primary capital before this round. The company has expanded its product range in recent months by integrating U.S. futures trading through the NinjaTrader acquisition, launching equities and tokenised equity trading and rolling out KRAK, a global app for payments, savings and investing. Citadel Securities President Jim Esposito said the firm will support Kraken’s next phase of growth. Kraken said the partnership will include differentiated liquidity provision, risk management support and market structure insights. The new funding will be used to scale operations, strengthen its regulated footprint and expand its product suite through organic growth and targeted acquisitions. Kraken plans to enter new markets in Latin America, Asia Pacific and EMEA, while adding more asset classes, advanced trading tools, staking solutions, expanded payment services and enhanced institutional features.     This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by ilygraphic via Freepik The post Kraken Hits US$20 Billion Valuation After Raising US$800 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Vyntra, a Yverdon-based provider of transaction intelligence, has launched Payment App Protection, a solution designed to detect and prevent money mule activity and payment fraud in real time. The move comes as mobile payment applications increasingly become a channel for scams, fake listings, account takeovers, and social engineering attacks. The system analyses customer data, transaction behaviour, and network risk scores to identify fraudulent activity before funds are released. It allows pre-authorisation checks and can block suspicious payees, merchants, and accounts involved in laundering schemes, while leaving control with the bank or payment provider. The growth of secondhand marketplaces and instant money transfers has introduced new vulnerabilities for financial institutions and consumers. Limited regulatory oversight and weaker protections have made mobile payment apps a frequent target for criminals. Payment App Protection provides real-time visibility into risky transaction patterns and includes a Community Scoring & Intelligence feature, enabling banks to share and benefit from fraud detections across the financial network. Yoann Vandendriessche, Chief Product Officer, said: Yoann Vandendriessche “Payment apps have become one of the fastest growing channels for financial crime and with Payment App Protection, we can help banks and payment providers to act instantly against emerging fraud threats, allowing them to share intelligence securely and deliver safer and more trusted digital experiences to their customers.” Vyntra, formed from the merger of NetGuardians and Intix, serves over 130 financial institutions in more than 60 countries, providing tools for fraud detection, anti-money laundering compliance, and real-time transaction monitoring.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by DC Studio via Freepik The post Vyntra Launches Real-Time Fraud Detection for Mobile Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

During the first three quarters of 2025, Europe’s business technology sector raised a total of EUR 3.4 billion through 443 transactions, according to Finch Capital, a growth investor specializing in business and fintech innovation. These figures mark a year-over-year (YoY) decline of 4% in total funding value, and a 32% YoY decline in deal volume from 654 deals in 2024. Despite this overall slowdown, artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as the primary growth driver, accounting for the majority of deals and funding, particularly within the IT and data vertical. Business tech funding in Europe by vertical, Source: State of European Business Technology 2025, Finch Capital, Nov 2025 AI dominates business tech funding AI accounted for 50% of all business tech funding rounds in Q1-Q3 2025. In value terms, AI-linked ventures secured a total of EUR 2.4 billion, representing 67% of total business tech funding for the period. Surging AI funding activity propelled the IT and data vertical to become the largest and fastest-growing business tech vertical. 61% of deal volume in IT and data during Q1-Q3 2025 was linked to AI, reflecting rising enterprise demand for cloud, and productivity AI tools. Total funding to IT and data startups reached EUR 1.7 billion during Q1-Q3 2025, marking a 19% YoY increase and giving the vertical a 50% share of total European business tech funding for the period. However, deal volume in IT and data fell 37% YoY to 157 transactions. This suggests that capital has been concentrated around AI leaders, particularly those specializing in infrastructure and data modernization. Exits in IT and data also surged, reaching EUR 3.1 billion in Q1-Q3 2025 and growing more than ninefold from EUR 320 million in 2024. IT and data funding and exits, Source: State of European Business Technology 2025, Finch Capital, Nov 2025 IT and data was the only vertical in business tech to record a YoY increase in funding activity, a growth that was driven by AI tools that are enhancing collaborations and which are delivering productivity gains. These solutions are supporting the advent of “Business 4.0”, an era where companies are redesigning operations around AI as a core capability rather than an experimental add-on, Finch Capital says. The technology is increasingly viewed as a strategic growth driver, powering efficiency, decision-making, and competitiveness. France leads business tech funding France led European business tech funding by value, accounting for 49% of the market in Q1-Q3 2025. The country is maintaining its leadership for the second consecutive year, driven by landmark rounds raised by Mistral AI. In September 2025, Mistral AI secured EUR 1.7 billion in a Series C round led by semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML with participation from existing investors DST Global, Andreessen Horowitz, Bpifrance, General Catalyst, Index Ventures, Lightspeed and NVIDIA. The round gave Mistral AI a EUR 11.7 billion post-money valuation and will support the startup’s scientific research to tackle sophisticated technological challenges faced by strategic industries. It came after months of rumors of a takeover by Apple. Founded in 2023, Mistral AI is a pioneer company in generative AI (genAI), providing high-performance, optimized, and cutting-edge open-source models, products and solutions as well as end-to-end infrastructure. Mistral AI’s key offerings include Le Chat, a large language model (LLM) chatbot and AI assistant; Mistral Code, an AI-powered coding assistant for enterprises; and Mistral Compute, a purpose-built cloud infrastructure service for AI development. The startup is headquartered in France, with a global presence in the US, UK and Singapore. It achieved EUR 30 million in annual recurring revenues last year, according to Sifted. Business tech funding in Europe by country, Source: State of European Business Technology 2025, Finch Capital, Nov 2025 Valuations surges; mid-market buyouts rise Median pre-money valuations have surged across both AI-led and traditional business tech companies over the past seven years, climbing 264% since 2018 and now surpassing 2021-2022 peaks after a brief 2023 correction. This represents a 72 points increase from 2024, driven by the AI momentum triggered by the release of OpenAI ChatGPT. Median pre-money valuation in the European business tech sector, indexed to 2018, Source: State of European Business Technology 2025, Finch Capital, Nov 2025 In Q1-Q3 2025, a total of 160 exits occurred in Europe’s business tech industry, up from 131 in 2024. The landscape was dominated by mid-market buyouts, with about 40 transactions totaling about EUR 2 billion in value. Europe’s median business tech exit value reached EUR 49 million in 2025, up 65% from last year’s EUR 18 million, further highlighting the strength of the mid-market segment. Main Capital Partners, a Dutch software investor managing investment funds active in Europe and the US, was the most active buyer with four deals. Marlin Equity Partners, a global investment firm from the US; Adelie, a multi-stage tech fund based in Paris and London; Securex, a Belgian human resources (HR) services group; and Fullcast, an AI-powered sales performance management solution, followed, each with two transactions. Though buyouts led in exit value, strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dominated in deal count, recording about 80 transactions. However, these deals generated a much more modest ~EUR 500 million in total value. Exits in the business tech industry, Source: State of European Business Technology 2025, Finch Capital, Nov 2025 Finance and operational takes second place After IT and data, finance and operations was the second-largest category in European business tech funding, securing a total of EUR 686 million through 107 deals. The UK and German led the charge, jointly accounting for 42% of deals. Deal activity was driven by digital procurement leaders, as executives seek improved performances, transparency, and regulatory compliance through digital transformation. Europe’s finance and operations vertical is expected to end the year at more than EUR 900 million. Notable transactions in finance and operations in Q1-Q3 2025, according to Finch Capital, included Finom’s combined EUR 208 million rounds; IFS’s EUR 124 million round; and Joblogic’s EUR 93 million round. Finom is a Dutch financial platform serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe that combines banking, invoicing, and a growing range of features, including AI-enabled accounting. IFS provides cloud enterprise software and industrial AI applications across aerospace and defense, engineering and construction, energy and utilities, manufacturing, telco and service. Finally, Joblogic is a field service management software provider from the UK, serving over 100,000 users across industries including HVAC, plumbing, electrical maintenance, facilities management, building fabric maintenance, and other skilled trades, helping contractors cut admin hours, invoice faster, and reduce wasted engineer travel. Finance and operations software investment, Source: State of European Business Technology 2025, Finch Capital, Nov 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik via Freepik The post European Business Tech Funding Contracts; AI Becomes Main Growth Driver appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into embedded finance, driven by advancements in generative AI (genAI), large language models (LLMs), and deep learning. A report by international management consulting firm Arthur D. Little explores this trend, highlighting the shift from AI merely facilitating and automating processes to actively creating, innovating and shaping finance in real time. The report outlines several existing use cases of AI across embedded finance. In risk management, algorithms are used to bolster assessments by detecting inconsistencies and identifying potential challenges. Along the customer journey, AI enhances value proposition and speeds up processes including underwriting and credit assessments, improving customer experience. In personalization, AI dissects customer behaviors to offer services tailored to individual needs. Finally, in fraud prevention, AI analyzes vast data sets to uncover anomalies and prevent fraudulent activities in real time. The report shares examples of fintech companies actively leveraging AI in embedded finance. In payments, for example, PayPal, Stripe, and Square uses AI to streamline payment processing and for fraud detection. Square also uses machine learning (ML) to underwrite and extend loans to small businesses overlooked by conventional banks. Similarly, in embedded lending, companies like Affirm, Klarna, and Upstart, are using AI for risk evaluation. In embedded wealth management, companies like Betterment, Wealthfront and Sigfig offer AI-powered robo-advisors that dispense financial advice and which manage portfolios. In e-commerce as well as platforms like Shopify and Amazon are embracing AI. Shopify, for example, embeds AI technology from Stripe to offer individualized solutions, amplifying the sales potential for its merchants. Amazon, meanwhile, relies on AI to curate personalized loan offers anchored in sales history. Applications of AI across major embedded finance modalities, Source: Arthur D. Little, 2023 Predictions Looking ahead, Arthur D. Little identifies several trends expected to shape the sector, forecasting that technologies including AI, LLMs, blockchain, and edge computing will eventually converge to deliver more secure, swift, and scalable embedded finance solutions. One key development is advanced biometric authentication. Powered by AI, facial, voice, fingerprint, and iris recognition promise stronger level of security for all financial transactions in an evolving risk environment. Another trend outlined in the report is the rise of AI-driven sentiment analysis. Using natural language processing (NLP), these systems extract opinions and emotions from social media and news to offer a predictive edge for market trends and investment strategies. Coupled with LLMs capable of formulating summaries and reports, these systems are poised to revolutionize embedded wealth and the overall wealthtech sector, Arthur D. Little predicts. The report also anticipates growing use of AI in regulatory compliance. These systems are capable of analyzing complex regulations, pinpointing requirements, ensuring adherence, and highlighting discrepancies. In embedded insurance, which often involves numerous policy details, LLMs can be paired with knowledge graphs to guide users through the intricate clauses, helping them better comprehend coverage details. In digital assets, AI can be used to detect patterns and anomalies on the blockchain, helping combat fraud, and ensure compliance. LLMs can also be used to automate customer service. LLM-powered chatbots, for example, can provide more insightful, contextually aware customer support. These systems are capable of decoding complex user queries with high accuracy, and can offer real-time assistance, anticipate user needs, and suggest solutions. Another trend outlined in the report is the rise of AI in risk management and behavioral analysis. By processing vast amounts of market data, AI can evaluate and mitigate risk exposures instantly, and issue timely alerts for emerging threats. In tandem, behavioral analysis capabilities can enhance security and user experience by identifying any deviations in typical user patterns. Strategic collaborations Increased integration of AI in embedded finance is expected to fuel strategic collaborations between financial giants and fintech or AI innovators, combining traditional wisdom with modern agility to elevate embedded finance solutions. Arthur D. Little also anticipates increased acquisitions as AI adoption accelerates. Growing regulatory scrutiny will reinforce this trend as government step up efforts to establish frameworks for data integrity, algorithmic fairness, and consumer protection, potentially triggering further industry consolidation. Embedded finance and AI have emerged as two of the hottest trends in the fintech sector. In North America, more than half of relevant independent software vendors now offer embedded payments, suggesting that adding payments to software-as-a-service (SaaS) products has become standard practice, data from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) show. At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly expecting payment capabilities to be built into their SaaS tools. In the US, SME adoption of vertical software reached 59% in 2024, compared with 50% just two years earlier. BCG estimates that embedded finance in North America and Europe is currently a US$32 billion market. However, the total addressable market across these two locations is about US$185 billion, highlighting significant room for growth. The total addressable market for embedded finance is US$185 billion, with significant opportunity for growth, Source: Boston Consulting Group, Sep 2025 AI, meanwhile, continues to attract significant investment. In Q3 2025, AI captured nearly one-quarter of fintech funding, according to market intelligence platform CB Insights. Additionally, five of the top ten deals in the space during the quarter went to AI-powered finance platforms, emphasizing investors’ bullishness in the prospect of AI in the fintech sector. AI is also taking center stage in shaping the future of the industry. This year’s CB Insights’ Fintech 100, which spotlights the fintech firms defining the next generation of financial services, includes 11 companies specializing in AI agents, and 17 companies using AI to transform accounting, payroll, and treasury workflows, underscoring the growing dominance of AI across fintech.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com and rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Integration of AI in Embedded Finance Drives Innovation and Efficiency appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The organisers of Zurich’s “Polarzauber” Christmas market have reversed their controversial decision to go completely cashless. After widespread criticism, cash will once again be accepted alongside card and mobile payments at the market’s stalls, according to 20 Minuten. The original plan to allow only card and smartphone payments had sparked dissatisfaction among visitors and stallholders. Vendors faced fines of up to 500 Swiss francs if they accepted cash despite the rule, and many regular patrons felt excluded by the policy. “You spoke, we listened,” the organisers wrote on the market’s website, announcing the change. The decision comes after several days of public debate, highlighting the strong attachment many people still have to cash as a payment method. Traditional stall operators, like Don Giovanni, which had previously made nearly half of its sales in cash, had expressed concern about the impact on their businesses, according to Blick. Visitors also voiced frustration, arguing that cash represents an important personal freedom. By reinstating cash payments, the market organisers aim to balance modern digital convenience with inclusivity for all attendees. Vendors can now accept cash alongside the “common digital payment methods,” ensuring no visitor is left out. This episode reflects broader discussions in Switzerland and beyond about the role of cash in everyday transactions, even as digital payments become increasingly common.   Featured image credit: Freepik’s Pikaso AI The post Zurich Christmas Market Reinstates Cash Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The Commercial Bank Money Token (CBMT) Working Group has launched the CBMT Sandbox, a test environment for banks and enterprises to pilot CBMT in institutional and corporate use cases. A launch event is scheduled for 19 November in Frankfurt. Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), GFT Technologies, and the Universal Digital Payments Network (UDPN) will serve as Technical Service Providers, supporting onboarding, integration, and interoperability across multiple distributed-ledger systems. Oracle will provide the blockchain ledger and infrastructure for the Sandbox. The CBMT initiative brings together major German banks and industrial firms. In 2024, a proof-of-concept explored interoperability, secure programmability, governance, and regulatory compliance, identifying CBMT as a tool to enable on-chain payments using existing deposits and supporting innovative financial products. Claus George “It was extremely valuable that our customers were actively involved in the development of CBMT. As a result, CBMT combines the positive characteristics of commercial bank money with the innovative potential of DLTs, while also being compatible with the emerging infrastructures we see here today,” said Claus George, Head of Digitalisation and Innovation TxB at DZ BANK. CBMT places commercial bank money onto distributed ledger technology (DLT), allowing seamless execution of money flows and business processes within the same systems. Roberto Pagliari “Stablecoins carry new economic and operational risks that continue to deter corporate adoption. CBMT, by contrast, delivers a programmable form of settlement to the digital economy that preserves the singleness of money and is aligned to the same prudential standards governing bank deposits today,” noted Roberto Pagliari, Senior Product Owner – DLT Cash and Markets at Commerzbank. The Sandbox allows participants to explore tokenised money flows from issuance to enterprise payments and interbank settlements in a controlled environment, with the aim of building a multi-issuer, multi-currency, multi-chain CBMT ecosystem. Abbas Albasha “At G+D, we see the CBMT initiative as a foundational step toward a secure, efficient and interoperable tokenised financial ecosystem. The CBMT Sandbox enables banks and enterprises to explore real-world applications such as working capital optimisation or machine-to-machine payments,” said Abbas Albasha, Senior Strategy Consultant at G+D. Commercial bank money represents roughly 85% of the money supply in Europe. The Sandbox seeks to establish a framework where commercial bank money operates natively on digital rails, supporting wholesale and commercial applications. Steffen Schacher “Financial institutions are entering a new era where tokenised commercial bank money and regulated digital currencies unlock transformative opportunities. The CBMT Sandbox provides the ideal environment to explore new use cases, from treasury operations across jurisdictions to automated industry payments,” said Steffen Schacher, Digital Assets & UDPN Lead at GFT Technologies. Mark Rakhmilevich “Major banks and financial institutions worldwide trust Oracle to support critical operations. Oracle is proud to support the CBMT initiative by providing blockchain capabilities that address scalability, resiliency, security, integration, and regulatory compliance,” added Mark Rakhmilevich, Vice President, Blockchain and Digital Assets Product Development at Oracle.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by user8285578 via Freepik The post CBMT Working Group Launches Sandbox for Tokenised Bank Money appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Switzerland has established itself as a leading hub for artificial intelligence (AI), ranking first in Europe in AI startup density in relation to population, and first in AI patents per one million inhabitants, according to Switzerland Global Enterprise, the country’s official organization for export and investment promotion. This burgeoning scene is further reflected by the growing volume of AI-related funding. In 2023, one in ten of all recorded funding rounds in Swiss startups was allocated to AI-related ventures, according to the EY Startup Barometer Switzerland 2025. This figure has doubled over the past year. In 2024, more than one in five funding rounds (22%) was invested in startups that operate in the AI field or use the new technology as an essential part of their offerings. Switzerland’s strength in AI is underpinned by the country’s world-renowned universities and research institutions in the field, including Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EPFL), the University of St. Gallen, and the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research (IDSIA) in Lugano. Top-tier research and talent have attracted the world’s tech giants, including Google, IBM, and Microsoft, which have all set up AI hubs in the country, further fueling Switzerland’s AI scene. Women have been at the forefront of this progress, driving AI innovation across academia, research, and the overall industry. They design strategies, write algorithms, and lead teams, helping shape the future of the field. To honor these leaders, the Greater Zurich Area, in collaboration with ETH AI Center at the ETH Zurich, released in September 2025 their top 100+ women in AI and data in Switzerland. Among these, eight women are standing out for their remarkable expertise and contributions to the finance sector, recognized for their leadership, vision, and ingenuity. Eleni Verteouri, Founder of Financier Labs, GenAI Tech Lead and Director at UBS Eleni Verteouri, Founder of Financier Labs, GenAI Tech Lead and Director at UBS Eleni Verteouri is the founder of Financier Labs, an initiative aimed at democratizing access to high finance through the responsible use of AI. She also serves as generative AI (genAI) tech lead and director of conversational banking at UBS; a AI instructor at both ETH Zürich and ZHAW School of Management and Law; and a coach and mentor at Tenity, a fintech early-stage investor. A recognized leader in responsible AI, Verteouri has over a decade of impactful work in model development. She has made significant contributions to shaping modern fintech innovations as an acclaimed AI guest lecturer and advisor and a recipient of the Forbes Cyprus 20 Women in Tech Award 2024. She holds an MSc in quantitative finance from ETH Zurich and an MEng in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Patras.   Dr. Sina Wulfmeyer, Chief Data Officer at Unique AI Dr. Sina Wulfmeyer, Chief Data Officer at Unique AI Dr. Sina Wulfmeyer is the chief data officer at Unique AI, a European venture-backed business-to-business (B2B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) company pioneering advanced, responsible AI solutions for the financial services industry. At Unique, she oversees the development of FinanceGPT, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance customer relationships and increase productivity in the financial sector. With over 15 years of experience in AI and data strategy, Sina has held significant roles, including leading data-related projects at Credit Suisse and consulting at Accenture in Germany and the US. She is also an active lecturer and expert in fields such as General AI, Ecosystem Technology, and Data Protection, contributing to academia and industry conferences across Europe. Wulfmeyer has been honored as one of ETH’s Top 100 Women in Data and AI in 2025, a recipient of the GenAI Zürich Visionary Catalyst Award, and the winner of the Handelsblatt Diamond Star Award in 2024 as the First Woman in Banking and Fintech in Germany. Alicja Basta, Head Trading Data Science at Vontobel Alicja Basta, Head Trading Data Science at Vontobel Alicja Basta is the head of trading data science at Vontobel. With over a decade of experience at Vontobel, she has played a central role in developing the bank’s data-driven trading platform, optimizing execution analytics, and advancing automation across the trading value chain. Prior to joining Vontobel, she held roles at CERN, OMV, mBank, and Citi, where she built a strong foundation in data analysis, finance, and operational innovation. Sarah Gadd, Chief Data Officer, Head of Data Platform and Process Automation at Julius Bär Sarah Gadd, Chief Data Officer, Head of Data Platform and Process Automation at Julius Bär Sarah Gadd is the chief data officer, head of data platform and process automation at Julius Bär. She has more than 20 years of experience in driving digital innovation and implementing change in the financial service industry. Before joining Julius Bär, Gadd spent more than two decades at Credit Suisse, where she held several senior leadership roles, including global head of data and AI solutions and head of semantic technology, analytics, and ML. In these positions, she pioneered the adoption of advanced analytics, ML, and automation technologies across the bank’s global operations. Dr. Julinda Gllavata, Head GCRG Artificial Intelligence Center of Innovation at UBS Dr. Julinda Gllavata, Head GCRG Artificial Intelligence Center of Innovation at UBS Dr. Julinda Gllavata is the head of the GCRG Artificial Intelligence Center of Innovation at UBS. As a senior technology executive with deep expertise in data analytics, ML, and AI, she specializes in delivering business outcomes through cutting-edge, data-driven innovations. Prior to joining UBS, Gllavata spent over a decade at SIX, leading the data analytics and AI business area in banking services, driving the execution and continuous alignment of the organization’s data and AI strategy, and ensuring the data roadmap delivers measurable business value. Projects included optimization and forecasting services, and payment enrichment services. Prior to that, she was a senior consultant at Accenture, leading small to mid-sized projects in the financial industry, managing deliverables and translating complex business needs into functional requirements. Claire Corish, Managing Director, Head of Data Analytics and AI for GWM, S&I and P&C Technology at UBS Claire Corish, Managing Director, Head of Data Analytics and AI for GWM, S&I and P&C Technology at UBS Claire Corish is the managing director and head of data analytics and AI for GWM, S&I, and P&C Technology at UBS, where she leads large-scale data and AI transformations across the bank’s global business units. With over 20 years of experience in technology and digital innovation, she is a strategic technology leader with a track record of delivering large‑scale business and technology transformations in the financial services sector. Prior to joining UBS, Corish led digital banking capabilities for Credit Suisse in Zürich, supporting the Swiss universal bank and group applications within IT. She managed a team of about 450 IT resources, and worked closely with the business to create innovative solutions for clients. Prior to that, Corish was the head of strategic programs at Bank of Ireland where she ran key change programs across the bank, including programs on digital transformation, end-to-end customer journeys, regulatory compliance, and cost transformation. She is also an experienced technology consultant at PwC and EY, helping multiple organizations with digital transformation, platform implementation, regulatory compliance and navigating their agile transformation journey. Fabienne Zwingli, Head Risk Data and Analytics at Raiffeisen Schweiz Fabienne Zwingli, Head Risk Data and Analytics at Raiffeisen Schweiz Fabienne Zwingli is the head of risk data and analytics at Raiffeisen Schweiz, where she leads the bank’s data-driven risk management strategy, integrating advanced analytics, business intelligence, and regulatory compliance frameworks. With over 15 years of experience in financial services, she has a proven track record of building robust data infrastructures that enhance transparency, optimize risk control, and support strategic decision-making across the organization. Prior to joining Raiffeisen Schweiz, Zwingli held senior positions at Vadian Bank, where she served as deputy head of the corporate center, overseeing regulatory and risk reporting, capital planning, and treasury operations. Earlier in her career, she managed IT operations and processes at Centrum Bank, and worked as a senior consultant at ifb International (EY ifb), specializing in SAP banking analytics, Basel II, and financial risk management systems. Denise Wipfli, Head of Reporting and Data Analytics, Technical Center Non-Life at Generali Denise Wipfli, Head of Reporting and Data Analytics, Technical Center Non-Life at Generali Denise Wipfli is the head of reporting and data analytics for the technical center non-life at Generali Switzerland, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance financial transparency, optimize data-driven decision-making, and strengthen business performance across the organization. Wipfli is a senior finance professional with a 20 year track record in the general insurance and reinsurance industry, with broad functional expertise and extensive experience in financial analysis, reporting and controlling, audit, project and risk management, as well as strategy and planning. Prior to joining Generali, Wipfli held senior leadership roles at Infrassure, including deputy CFO and head of audit and risk profiling. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly a decade at Zurich Insurance Group, where she supported global and European leadership teams in strategic and financial management roles.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by michelangeloop via Freepik The post Switzerland’s Top 8 Women Leaders in Fintech and AI appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Paytech was the top-performing fintech vertical in Europe in Q3 2025, securing an estimated EUR 896 million in growth and venture capital (VC) funding, according to new data released by Finch Capital, a growth investor specializing in business and fintech innovation. The figure is more than double (117%) what was raised in Q2 2025 at EUR 413 million, marking a strong rebound. Growth/VC funding in paytech (EUR million), Source: Finch Capital, Oct 2025 Driving this surge was large funding rounds raised by established ventures. Rapyd, a fintech-as-a-service provider offering global payment infrastructure, raised an additional US$25 million from XBO Ventures, the investment arm of XBO.com, to its US$500 million Series F in September. The deal will see Rapyd integrate XBO’s crypto services, including liquidity solutions, crypto payment processing, and crypto-as-a-service, into its network. Fnality, which operates next-generation wholesale payment systems regulated by central banks, secured in September a US$136 million Series C to expand its distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based global settlement network. Fnality, which counts among its shareholders the likes of Banco Santander, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi Group, Commerzbank, Euroclear, Goldman Sachs, ING, Mizuho Financial Group, Temasek, and UBS, aims to connect traditional finance with the rapidly growing world of tokenized assets and digital payments. Klarna IPO drives paytech surge The sector’s momentum was fueled by Klarna’s initial public offering (IPO) and public listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Klarna sold 34.3 million shares to investors at US$40 a share late on September 09, raising approximately US$1.37 billion. This made it the fourth-largest IPO of the year, according to Renaissance Capital, and the biggest offering for a company funded by VC by deal size. Shares of Klarna opened 30% above their offer price in their NYSE debut on September 10, giving the Swedish fintech a valuation of US$19.65 billion. Klarna reported its fifth consecutive quarter of operational profitability in Q2 2025, with adjusted operating income reaching US$29 million. It posted a revenue of US$823 million, 111 million active Klarna consumers, and 790,000 merchant partners, including Uber, H&M, Saks, Sephora, Macy’s, Ikea, Expedia Group, Nike and Airbnb. Klarna provides short-term buy now, pay later (BNPL) consumer loans, and payment processing services for the e-commerce industry, managing store claims and customer payments. The company is currently transitioning to become a digital bank. Besides the Klarna IPO, other notable exits in the paytech vertical included the EUR 140 million acquisition of digital wallet platform Curve by Lloyds Banking Group, the UK’s biggest high street lender. The deal is part of Lloyds Banking Group’s strategy to expand deeper into payments infrastructure. Notable paytech exits, Source: Finch Capital, Oct 2025 Banking and digital currency vertical records steady growth Banking and digital currency was another prominent fintech vertical in Q3 2025, with growth and VC funding rising 22% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to EUR 219 million. Notable transactions included: Treasury, a Bitcoin treasury company from the Netherlands, which secured EUR 126 million (US$147 million) from the VC firm of billionaires Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss to acquire more than 1,000 bitcoins as it seeks to become the largest publicly traded European bitcoin treasury company; PBK Miner, a UK cloud mining platform, which raised a US$80 million Series B in July to enhance its global network of renewable energy data centers and develop artificial intelligence (AI) mining systems; and M0, a Swiss stablecoin platform, which raised a US$40 million Series B in August to launch custom stablecoins with interoperable liquidity and full on-chain programmability. Insurtech sees notable exits Insutech was another standout vertical in Europe, driven by major mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. In September, Radian acquired Inigo for a staggering EUR 1.5 billion. The acquisition, expected to close in early 2026 pending regulatory approvals, will allow Radian to deploy excess capital into new insurance and reinsurance markets while leveraging Inigo’s strong data-driven underwriting platform and Lloyd’s market presence. Radian is a prominent mortgage insurer in the US, while Inigo is a global specialty insurance and reinsurance company based in London, underwriting through Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301, and serving some of the world’s largest commercial and industrial enterprises. Also in September, Applied Systems acquired Cytora, a UK-based AI-powered risk analytics and underwriting platform, for EUR 150-300 million, according to Finch Capital. The deal will Applied Systems integrate Cytora’s advanced AI technology with its suite of solutions for insurers, agencies, and managing general agents (MGAs). Cytora is a configurable platform that enables carriers, MGAs, and brokers to digitize their intake and streamline the full policy lifecycle, from submission to claims servicing, mid-term adjustments, endorsements, and renewals. Applied Systems is a leading global provider of cloud-based software that powers the business of insurance. Insurtech growth and VC funding reached EUR 258 million in Q3 2025, up 25% QoQ. The figure puts insurtech among the biggest recipients of VC funding during the quarter, ahead of banking and digital currency, as well as wealthtech. Key VC transactions included: Wefox from Germany, which secured EUR 151 million comprising a EUR 76 million capital raise and EUR 75 million in refinancing, to build out its strong market positions in Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland and to develop its asset-light MGA and smart insurance distribution businesses internationally; and Trasti, a Polish insurtech company, which raised US$24.3 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Triglav Group, to enhance its digital insurance offerings, focusing on motor insurance policies, improving its reach in the property and casualty segments, and expanding its technological capabilities. Trasti also plans to elevate its corporate governance standards by implementing the IFRS accounting standards and refine its reporting framework to align with international norms. European fintech funding remains resilient European fintech growth and VC funding remained stable in Q3 2025, totaling EUR 1,711 million and declining by a slight 5% QoQ from EUR 1,799 million in Q2 2025. The Finch Capital report also analyzed the public fintech market using its Finch Index. The Finch Index is a proprietary benchmark designed to track the performance of nine key business and fintech themes, serving as an industry-specific valuation comparison alongside established indices, such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100. The index is composed of 90 publicly traded companies, with eight to ten representative firms across each theme to ensure a diversified and balanced view of market trends. Looking at each of these key verticals, the report shows that wealthtech and capital markets continued to lead the public fintech landscape in Q3 2025. The vertical posted an enterprise value (EV)/EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiple of 24.1x, and a EV/Revenue multiple of 7.8x, both the highest among fintech verticals. High EV/EBITDA and EV/Revenue multiples reflect high investor confidence in profitability, growth potential, and resilience in the industry. Wealthtech and capital markets often command higher multiples because of their scalable digital platforms, and high margins, and attract strong investor sentiment due to innovation or recurring fee income. Finch Index EV/EBITDA multiples and EV/Revenue multiples evolutions, Source: Finch Capital, Oct 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland based on image by lekhawattana via Freepik The post Paytech Leads European Fintech Funding Powered by Klarna IPO Hype appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

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.