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.

Clearstream, a provider of post-trade services and part of Deutsche Börse Group, has launched a tokenised securities platform, D7 DLT. The platform enables the issuance and management of securities using distributed ledger technology (DLT) and is fully compliant with the central securities depository regulation (CSDR). It complements Clearstream’s existing D7 digital issuance platform, giving clients the option to choose between digital and tokenised issuance according to their preferred technology. D7 DLT will first be available in the international market to issuer clients of Clearstream Banking, enhancing Clearstream’s Eurobond offering. The initial issuances are expected to include commercial papers (CPs) and medium-term notes (MTNs), which benefit from faster issuance times, allowing treasurers to raise funding on an intraday basis. Jens Hachmeister, Head of Issuer Services & New Digital Markets at Clearstream, said: Jens Hachmeister “D7 is reinventing how securities are issued, managed, and traded, benefiting all market participants, providing the flexibility to choose between digital and tokenised issuance.” Google Cloud, an innovation partner of Deutsche Börse Group, provides infrastructure, technical expertise, and cloud capacity for D7 DLT. Matt Renner, President of Global Revenue at Google Cloud, said: Matt Renner “By combining our secure and scalable infrastructure with Clearstream’s expertise in distributed ledger technology, we’re helping to redefine how securities are issued and managed. This platform is not just about meeting today’s needs; it’s also about building a more efficient, transparent, and secure future for capital markets globally.” D7 DLT is designed to streamline issuance and lifecycle management by enabling tokenised securities to be issued directly on the DLT, reducing complexity associated with traditional methods. The platform also provides an immutable record of ownership and transactions, enhancing transparency and security. It allows integration with existing market infrastructure, supporting broader investor reach and interoperability, and will connect with trading venues such as Deutsche Börse Group’s 360X multi-lateral trading facility (MTF), which can service securities issued on DLT. The launch follows successful trials in 2024 as part of European Central Bank (ECB) experiments. During these trials, Clearstream executed live issuances with various partners, covering commercial paper, intraday repo transactions, and other complex use cases. The platform demonstrated the ability to manage both securities and central bank digital currency (CBDC) positions, indicating potential for future scalability and innovation.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Clearstream Launches Tokenised Securities Platform D7 DLT appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Swissquote, the Swiss digital banking group, has appointed Jan De Schepper as the new CEO of Yuh, with immediate effect. Markus Schwab, the previous CEO, stepped down at the beginning of August 2025 to pursue a new opportunity. Jan De Schepper, 49, has been with Swissquote since 2015, most recently serving on the Executive Board as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. He will continue to sit on Swissquote’s Executive Board, overseeing the company’s product and marketing strategy, while taking over the management of Yuh. Marc Bürki, CEO of Swissquote, said: Marc Bürki “I would like to thank Markus Schwab very much for his excellent work at Yuh. Under his leadership, Yuh quickly became the most successful digital finance app. I am delighted to be ushering in the next phase of growth at Yuh with Jan De Schepper. In his dual role, he will optimally coordinate the future product development of Swissquote and Yuh. This will enable us to integrate Yuh more closely into Swissquote while further strengthening the brand.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by lifeforstock via Freepik The post Swissquote Names Jan De Schepper as Yuh CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Binance has introduced a new QR code payment feature in Argentina, enabling users to pay for products and services using cryptocurrencies directly from the Binance app at merchants that accept QR payments. Transactions are processed instantly, securely, and without fees. Andrés Ondarra, Binance General Manager for Argentina and the Southern Cone, described the launch as “a leap toward true financial freedom,” adding that it provides “speed, security, and flexibility to use your digital assets at any merchant, without fees or complications. It is the simplest and most practical way to integrate cryptocurrencies into everyday life.” To make a payment, users scan a merchant’s QR code with the Binance app, select a cryptocurrency, and confirm the transaction. Binance automatically converts the chosen crypto into Argentine pesos through a regulated local partner, ensuring merchants receive local-currency payments while users spend directly from their crypto balances. The platform supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including USDT and BTC, and allows users to pay from Spot, Funding, or Earn account balances. Argentina has an advanced QR payment ecosystem, which millions of people use daily. By integrating crypto into this existing payment method, Binance aims to enable everyday use of digital assets. The system provides speed, zero fees, and flexibility while allowing merchants to receive payments in pesos with no added complexity. The QR payment feature operates on Binance Pay, the company’s global payment system that facilitates borderless crypto transfers. Ondarra added, Andrés Ondarra “Crypto was always meant to be practical. Our goal is to remove barriers so everyone, from a student buying coffee to a small business owner, can use crypto as easily as they use cash or cards. QR payments bring us closer to that vision.” The QR payment feature is available for Binance users in Argentina with sufficient cryptocurrency balances and the latest version of the Binance app. Transactions are completed in Argentine pesos after automatic conversion at the market rate.   Featured image credit: Binance The post Binance Introduces QR Code Crypto Payments in Argentina appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

France-based payment services provider Worldline, and Fipto, a European fintech based in Luxembourg, have announced a strategic partnership to explore the use of stablecoins in settlement and payment services across Europe. The collaboration aims to develop payment infrastructure suited to the digital economy. The partnership will examine how digital assets and traditional payment systems can coexist, allowing merchants, banks, and financial institutions to select the most suitable solutions. Planned initiatives include stablecoin-based payment and settlement use cases that operate alongside existing infrastructure. Early work has focused on solutions for merchants in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Thibault Pele “Our ambition is to advance the next generation of payment solutions, where virtual and traditional digital money coexist seamlessly, and to co-create with our partners and clients to deliver new, impactful use cases,” said Thibault Pele, Head of Digital Currencies at Worldline. “Collaboration allows us to accelerate our capabilities and reach in promoting stablecoin-based solutions, and to turn this innovation into tangible opportunities for our clients from merchants to banks.” Patrick Mollard “Combined with Worldline’s reach across the payment value chain, this partnership creates the right conditions to accelerate the adoption of new digital payment rails in Europe,” said Patrick Mollard, Co-Founder and CEO of Fipto.   Featured image credit: Worldline The post Worldline and Fipto Partner to Explore Stablecoin Payments in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

JPMorgan Chase is making investing in alternative assets easier by offering them through digital tokens. On 30 October, the banking giant tokenised a private-equity fund on its blockchain platform, available to wealthy clients of its private bank. The move precedes a broader rollout next year of JPMorgan’s fund tokenisation platform, Kinexys Fund Flow. Tokenisation provides a digital representation of asset ownership on a blockchain ledger. Despite past caution toward cryptocurrencies, banks have long recognised blockchain’s potential to streamline operations, according to the Wall Street Journal. President Trump’s signing of the Genius Act this summer, which created a regulatory framework for tokenised dollars or stablecoins, has spurred efforts to digitise assets ranging from stocks to funds and real assets. In July, Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon announced plans to launch digital tokens representing money-market funds managed by major firms including BlackRock and Fidelity. JPMorgan’s Kinexys Fund Flow platform gathers data from fund managers, distributors, and administrators, generates smart contracts representing fund ownership, and enables near-instant exchange of cash and assets on the blockchain. Anton Pil “For the alternative investments industry, it’s just a matter of time that a blockchain-based solution is going to be adopted,” said Anton Pil, Head of Global Alternative Investment Solutions for JPMorgan’s asset management arm. “It’s more about simplifying the ecosystem of alternatives and making it, frankly, a little easier to access for most investors.” A tokenised fund allows all parties to share a single, real-time view of ownership and contributions, reducing surprises from capital calls, requests by private fund managers for investors to provide committed capital on short notice. JPMorgan plans to expand tokenisation to other alternative strategies, including private credit, real estate, and hedge funds. The bank is also exploring using fund tokens as collateral for borrowing or constructing portfolios of tokenised assets. Regulatory restrictions mean banks mainly operate on private blockchain platforms, accessible to selected users in a closed ecosystem.   Featured image credit: JPMorgan Chase The post JPMorgan Tokenises Private-Equity Fund for Wealthy Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

SavvyMoney, a US-based provider of financial wellness and growth solutions, has secured a US$225 million minority investment co-led by PSG and Canapi Ventures, with continued support from Spectrum Equity. The funding will support the company’s product development and go-to-market initiatives, serving its network of over 1,500 financial institutions. SavvyMoney works with banks, credit unions, and fintechs to provide data-driven tools, including real-time credit score insights, financial wellness features, personalised offers, and analytics, integrated with lending and deposit services. JB Orecchia “This is the kind of validation every CEO hopes for,” said JB Orecchia, CEO and President of SavvyMoney. “This partnership gives us the resources and expertise to build on our proven model and show what’s possible when you put customer financial well-being and the financial institution’s goals at the centre of everything you do.” PSG, which manages around US$28 billion across more than 160 portfolio companies, focuses on scaling growth-stage B2B software platforms. Canapi Ventures, with extensive experience in financial services innovation and limited partners including more than 70 financial institutions, also participated. Spectrum Equity, which first invested in SavvyMoney in 2021, returned for this round, while TransUnion, an investor since 2016, remains a strategic partner.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by diloka107 via Freepik The post SavvyMoney Raises $225M to Expand Financial Wellness and Digital Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

AMINA Bank has announced that its newly established subsidiary, AMINA (Austria) AG (AMINA EU), has received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCAR) framework. The license allows AMINA EU to provide regulated crypto trading, custody, portfolio management, and staking services. These offerings will be available to professional investors, including family offices, corporates, and financial institutions. AMINA EU will operate a platform designed to provide secure, institutional-grade access to the crypto market. As a wholly owned subsidiary of AMINA Bank, it leverages the Group’s governance, regulatory expertise, and market experience. Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank, said: Franz Bergmueller “All AMINA Group companies put clients first. AMINA EU’s receipt of a MiCA CASP licence further demonstrates AMINA Group’s commitment to the highest regulatory standards and to meeting the growing global demand for trusted crypto services.” Austria was selected as AMINA EU’s European entry point due to its regulatory framework and focus on investor protection. The subsidiary has also been notified in 13 additional European countries and can expand into over 30 markets across Europe. The CASP license authorises AMINA EU to provide custody, exchange, transfer, and portfolio management services for crypto assets, strengthening AMINA Group’s presence in Europe.   Featured image credit: AMINA Bank The post AMINA EU Secures Austrian Crypto License appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

AMINA Bank has announced that its newly established subsidiary, AMINA (Austria) AG (AMINA EU), has received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCAR) framework. The license allows AMINA EU to provide regulated crypto trading, custody, portfolio management, and staking services. These offerings will be available to professional investors, including family offices, corporates, and financial institutions. AMINA EU will operate a platform designed to provide secure, institutional-grade access to the crypto market. As a wholly owned subsidiary of AMINA Bank, it leverages the Group’s governance, regulatory expertise, and market experience. Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank, said: Franz Bergmueller “All AMINA Group companies put clients first. AMINA EU’s receipt of a MiCA CASP licence further demonstrates AMINA Group’s commitment to the highest regulatory standards and to meeting the growing global demand for trusted crypto services.” Austria was selected as AMINA EU’s European entry point due to its regulatory framework and focus on investor protection. The subsidiary has also been notified in 13 additional European countries and can expand into over 30 markets across Europe. The CASP license authorises AMINA EU to provide custody, exchange, transfer, and portfolio management services for crypto assets, strengthening AMINA Group’s presence in Europe.   Featured image credit: AMINA Bank The post AMINA EU Secures Austrian Crypto License appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Revolut now allows users to swap US dollars for stablecoins at a 1:1 rate, removing fees, spreads, and hidden costs. The change aims to make cryptocurrency transactions as straightforward as traditional foreign exchange. According to Finance Magnates, Revolut’s 65 million users can exchange up to US$578,630 every 30 rolling days between USD and stablecoins, specifically Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT). Supported blockchains include Ethereum, Solana, and Tron. The feature comes shortly after Revolut secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing it to offer regulated crypto services across 30 European Economic Area countries. Leonid Bashlykov, Revolut’s Head of Product for Crypto, said: Leonid Bashlykov “Ten years ago, Revolut changed how people exchanged currencies, transparent FX, no hidden markups, no extra fees. Now we’re bringing the same approach to crypto. This isn’t about getting a better rate, it’s about eliminating the friction of moving on and off-chain.” The British neobank reported holding nearly US$35 billion in customer assets in 2024, a 66% increase from the previous year, alongside a rise in monthly transactions. The 1:1 conversion could benefit SMBs in countries with unstable currencies, providing more predictable and cost-efficient stablecoin transfers for both individuals and companies. Revolut first entered the crypto space in 2017 and now supports over 200 tokens, including the ability to pay for everyday purchases using digital assets.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by altumcode via Freepik The post Revolut Introduces 1:1 USD-to-Stablecoin Swaps Without Fees appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

ConductorOne, a US-based AI-native identity security platform, has raised US$79 million in Series B funding, bringing its total capital raised to over US$100 million. The round was led by Greycroft, with participation from CrowdStrike Falcon Fund and existing investors including Accel and Felicis Ventures. The company manages millions of identities for organisations including Zscaler, Ramp, and DoorDash. ConductorOne unifies identity governance (IGA), identity and access management (IAM), and privileged access management (PAM) into a single platform, aiming to address the growing complexity of identity security in enterprises. Alex Bovee “Identity has become the number one enterprise attack surface,” said Alex Bovee, Co-founder and CEO of ConductorOne. “The scale of identity sprawl is beyond what today’s organisations and solutions can handle and only growing more complex. This AI-driven complexity can only be managed with AI-native solutions that can scale and automate at the same pace.” ConductorOne’s platform automates identity security processes, including access requests, reducing IT effort by up to 95% according to the company. It can function as a standalone solution or integrate with existing legacy systems. Planned developments include expanded AI-driven automation, enhanced dashboards, analytics, and modern directory management capabilities.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik The post ConductorOne Raises US$79M to Expand AI-Native Identity Security Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Swedish open banking platform Tink and Coinbase have partnered to enable crypto purchases via Pay by Bank in Germany. Pay by Bank is an open banking-powered payment method that allows consumers to transfer money directly between bank accounts without manual data entry. Using Tink’s technology, customers can top up their accounts in a few taps, simplifying access to cryptocurrencies. Thomas Gmelch, Head of Commercial, Central Europe at Tink, said: Thomas Gmelch “This partnership adds a new service for Coinbase users in Germany, giving them more choice in how they manage their crypto purchases. Having a Pay by Bank option makes it possible to check out quickly and securely on a mobile device, directly from a bank account.” Denny Morawiak, Managing Director of Coinbase Germany, added: Denny Morawiak “The partnership with Tink is the latest step in making it easier to securely access the crypto economy. It is part of our ongoing efforts to expand our service offering in Germany and underscores our commitment to being the most trusted and compliant offering in the German market.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Tink and Coinbase Introduce Pay by Bank for Crypto in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council has decided to advance to the next phase of the digital euro project, following the successful completion of the preparation phase launched in November 2023. The move comes in response to European leaders’ call at the October 2025 Euro Summit to accelerate work on the initiative. The ECB said the digital euro will help preserve Europeans’ freedom of choice and privacy, strengthen monetary sovereignty, and promote innovation and resilience in payments. Preparations will proceed flexibly and remain aligned with the legislative process. The final decision on whether to issue a digital euro will only be made once legislation is adopted. If the Regulation is approved in 2026, pilot transactions could begin by mid-2027, with a potential first issuance in 2029. Christine Lagarde “The euro, our shared money, is a trusted sign of European unity,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde. “We are working to make its most tangible form, euro cash, fit for the future.” As cash use continues to decline, the ECB said a public digital means of payment has become increasingly necessary. The digital euro would complement cash, offering similar benefits – simplicity, privacy, and reliability – in digital form. The next phase will focus on three areas: developing technical infrastructure, engaging with payment providers, merchants, and consumers, and supporting the legislative process through technical input. Development costs are estimated at about €1.3 billion until 2029, with annual operating costs of around €320 million thereafter. The ECB said these costs, borne by the Eurosystem, are comparable to those of issuing banknotes and will be offset by seigniorage revenues. The preparation phase produced key deliverables, including a draft rulebook, selection of service providers, and pilot collaborations with market participants. Findings indicated that the digital euro could enhance competition, lower merchant costs, and support a simple, secure user experience.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Who is Danny via Freepik The post ECB to Begin Digital Euro Pilot by 2027 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Thredd has announced an expanded partnership with Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. The collaboration supports the regional expansion of the Bybit Card, a multi-currency, crypto-linked payment card designed to connect digital assets with everyday transactions across key markets. Thredd’s processing platform enables Bybit to scale operations and address regulatory requirements across regions through a single integration. The platform allows market-specific programme configurations that meet local compliance needs while maintaining central oversight. This setup has allowed Bybit to expand across several markets, with further growth planned. More than two million users currently use the Bybit Card for features such as cardholder rewards and crypto-to-fiat payment capabilities. Bybit uses Thredd’s infrastructure to issue both virtual and physical Visa and Mastercard cards, enabling users to spend cryptocurrency holdings as fiat in real time. The partnership also includes wallet tokenisation, supporting integration with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other digital wallets. Thredd also facilitates localised BIN issuance and real-time card controls to support market entry. Jim McCarthy “Bybit is building the next era of digital finance, and Thredd is proud to help turn their crypto vision into real-world utility,” said Jim McCarthy, CEO of Thredd. “Our platform empowers them to scale globally with secure card issuing, wallet tokenisation, and rapid onboarding in new markets.” Sophie Chen “Thredd’s platform is instrumental in helping us bridge the gap between crypto and everyday commerce,” added Sophie Chen, Head of Marketing, Payment Business Unit at Bybit. “Their multi-currency BIN setup, wallet integrations, and agile tech stack allow us to move quickly and compliantly, no matter the region.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik The post Thredd Extends Partnership with Bybit for Global Crypto Card Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Germany’s Lucht Probst Associates (LPA), a European provider of financial software and captech solutions, has acquired payoff, the operator of Swiss financial platform payoff.ch. The move strengthens LPA’s presence in Switzerland and expands its portfolio in content, data, and analytics for issuers, distributors, asset managers, and fund providers. Payoff is a leading independent source of information on structured products, derivatives, and ETFs in Switzerland. The company produces daily news, research, and events, publishes the monthly payoff magazine, and operates the financial portal payoff.ch. It also releases specialist publications including the Swiss Yearbook for Structured Products, the ETP & Indexing Guide, and the Swiss ESG Guide, and has organised the annual Swiss Derivative Awards since 2006. Following its earlier integration of DDS, a provider of structured product data, the acquisition of payoff further enhances LPA’s data and analytics capabilities. Combining payoff’s market data expertise, DDS’ database, and LPA’s analytics solutions, covering independent valuations, stress and backtesting, and market conformity checks, creates a comprehensive foundation for market insight and data-driven innovation. Serge Nussbaumer, CEO of payoff, said: Serge Nussbaumer “The merger will enable us to tailor payoff’s existing offering in Switzerland even more specifically to the needs of our industry. At the same time, becoming part of the LPA Group opens up new opportunities for us to further develop our concept internationally.” Stefan Lucht, founder and CEO of LPA, added: Stefan Lucht “The merger with payoff not only strengthens our presence in Switzerland and our expertise in structured products, but also creates new opportunities for our customers and partners in the areas of content, data, and analytics.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by snowing via Freepik The post LPA Acquires payoff to Broaden Swiss Market Coverage appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Mastercard is reportedly in late-stage discussions to acquire Zero Hash, a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure startup, for between US$1.5 billion and US$2 billion. According to Fortune, five sources familiar with the matter said the negotiations are ongoing, though the deal could still fall through. If completed, it would mark one of Mastercard’s largest moves into the stablecoin sector, cryptocurrencies pegged to assets such as the US dollar. Founded in 2017, the Chicago-based firm provides blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure, enabling payments, tokenisation, and crypto trading. The reported talks follow Mastercard’s earlier interest in another stablecoin company, BVNK, which is now in exclusive negotiations with Coinbase for an acquisition estimated at around US$2 billion. Stablecoin startups have become a focal point of the broader crypto resurgence over the past year. Stripe’s US$1.1 billion acquisition of Bridge earlier this year underscored the growing belief among major payments firms that blockchain-based settlement could offer faster, cheaper alternatives to traditional payment networks such as SWIFT. While stablecoins could, in theory, challenge Mastercard’s interchange-based model, the company has been active in digital assets for several years. It acquired blockchain analytics firm CipherTrace in 2021 and recently joined a consortium alongside Robinhood and Kraken to explore stablecoin applications. Zero Hash, backed by investors including Interactive Brokers, Apollo, Point72 Ventures, and Nyca, last raised US$104 million in September at a valuation of US$1 billion.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by atstockproductions via Freepik The post Mastercard in Talks to Acquire Crypto Infrastructure Firm Zero Hash appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) has launched the Zurich AI Lab, an initiative led by Group CEO Mario Greco to explore the use of AI in transforming the insurance industry. The AI Lab aims to integrate academic research with Zurich’s insurance and technology expertise to develop practical AI-driven solutions. Its goal is to enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to the evolution of insurance business models. The initiative is a collaboration between Zurich, the Institute of Management & Strategy at the University of St. Gallen, and ETH Zurich’s Agentic Systems Lab. Based across St. Gallen, Zurich, and Singapore, the programme brings together PhD and master’s students, Zurich’s senior leaders, and academic experts. Zurich’s Group Chief Information and Digital Officer Ericson Chan and Group Chief Transformation Officer Carlos Rey de Vicente will serve as executive sponsors, alongside Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger from the University of St. Gallen and Prof. Dr. Elgar Fleisch from ETH Zurich. The AI Lab will also publish research on the role of AI in reshaping insurance strategy, business models, and customer interaction, contributing to wider industry and academic understanding. Mario Greco “AI has proven its significant value by enabling us to better serve our customers, reduce response time, and deliver more accurate risk information. The Zurich AI Lab is our moonshot factory, bringing together business and technology expertise with cutting-edge research to pioneer the next generation of insurance solutions,” said Mario Greco, Group Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Insurance Group.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by mizkit via Freepik The post Zurich Insurance Launches AI Lab with ETH Zurich and University of St. Gallen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

bexio, a Rapperswil-Jona-based business software provider for SMEs and trustees, will integrate Lenzburg-based Kontera GmbH, whose AI agent enables fully automated processing of accounting documents. Founded in 2021, Kontera offers an AI-based solution that streamlines accounting and reduces manual workloads. Its “Kontera AI Agent” allows fully automated document processing. According to Startupticker, the AI solutions are already used monthly by over 2,500 companies and trustees. The functionality will be integrated into bexio’s software. The management team and employees of Kontera will join bexio and continue in their current roles, contributing to the development of AI functionalities. The purchase price was not disclosed. Pascal Schöni, CEO of Kontera GmbH, said: Pascal Schöni “We are proud to become part of bexio and contribute our expertise in AI to the existing solution.” Markus Naef, CEO of bexio, added: Markus Naef “The integration of Kontera is a logical step. We expect the AI functions to provide measurable benefits for SMEs and trustees.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by user4894991 via Freepik The post bexio Acquires Kontera to Integrate AI for Accounting Document Processing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

TWINT is exploring plans to open its platform to digital currencies and identity solutions as part of efforts to support the country’s financial innovation and digital sovereignty. With over six million users, TWINT is widely used for daily transactions, from in-store and online payments to peer-to-peer transfers. The company now aims to enable providers of regulated digital currencies, such as Swiss franc-backed stablecoins or tokenised deposits, and developers working on Switzerland’s upcoming electronic ID (E-ID) to use its existing infrastructure. Markus Kilb “By starting the dialogue to open our platform for regulated and trusted digital assets like CHF stablecoins, tokenised deposits and the E-ID, we are contributing to the strengthening of Switzerland’s digital sovereignty in everyday life,” said Markus Kilb, CEO of TWINT. The move coincides with Switzerland’s broader efforts to advance digital finance and identity frameworks through the introduction of the E-ID and ongoing discussions around stablecoins. TWINT intends to work with government bodies, regulators and industry participants to develop relevant use cases, ensuring consumers and merchants benefit from trusted and regulated solutions. Users will retain the option to choose which services they access through the app.   Featured image credit: TWINT The post TWINT Opens Platform to Digital Currencies and E-ID Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.