Paris-based Ingenico, a provider of payment acceptance solutions, has appointed Floris de Kort as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2025. He succeeds Laurent Blanchard, who will step down as CEO and from the Supervisory Board to pursue other opportunities. Catherine Guillouard, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, said: Catherine Guillouard “As Ingenico enters its next chapter, the Board welcomes Floris de Kort as Chief Executive Officer, based at Ingenico’s global headquarters in Paris. He brings extensive experience in the payments sector, with a strong record of operational and commercial leadership. We are confident he will accelerate Ingenico’s growth and execution efforts.” De Kort has held senior leadership roles in several global payment and technology companies. He was previously CEO of Global eCommerce at Worldpay, where he led a major transformation culminating in its 2015 IPO. He later served as CEO of Xplor Technologies and most recently as CEO of Thunes, a cross-border payments network. De Kort commented: Floris de Kort “I am honoured to join Ingenico at a time of great opportunity. The company has a unique position in the payments ecosystem, trusted by merchants, banks, and partners worldwide. I look forward to working with the team to further expand our global offering and deliver reliable solutions to our customers.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by digitizesc via Freepik The post Ingenico Names Floris de Kort as CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Checkout.com has entered into a strategic partnership with Uber to provide acquiring and gateway services for Uber’s ridesharing and on-demand delivery platforms across several international markets. Uber selected Checkout.com for its combination of global coverage and local market expertise. With experience in enterprise-scale operations and a digital-first approach, Checkout.com will support Uber’s payments infrastructure as it continues to expand globally. Karl Hebert “Riders trust Uber to deliver a magical experience that just works, and that extends to how they pay,” said Karl Hebert, Vice President of Global Commerce at Uber. “We rely on partners with reach and reliability as we continue to grow. Checkout.com’s enterprise expertise, global footprint, and digital-first approach give us confidence that their infrastructure can help us to continue to enhance the payments experience for riders and eaters worldwide.” The collaboration will see Uber use Checkout.com’s proprietary acquiring network and payment technologies, including Intelligent Acceptance, an AI-driven solution that optimises transaction routing and reduces payment failures. Guillaume Pousaz “This partnership with Uber is an important milestone for Checkout.com and reflects the progress we are making in the global enterprise payments market,” said Guillaume Pousaz, Chief Executive Officer of Checkout.com. “Supporting the millions of transactions Uber processes daily requires resilient and scalable infrastructure, and we are committed to providing that performance.”   Featured image credit: Checkout.com The post Uber Partners with Checkout.com to Support Global Payments Operations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

ClearBank has signed a strategic framework agreement with a subsidiary of Circle to collaborate on initiatives across the European market. The partnership will initially focus on expanding access to Circle’s fully reserved, MiCA-compliant stablecoins, USDC and EURC, through Circle Mint in Europe. This positions ClearBank as an infrastructure provider for financial institutions and fintechs seeking compliant, multi-currency stablecoin solutions for payments, treasury, and liquidity operations. ClearBank also plans to become one of the first European banks to join the Circle Payments Network (CPN), which enables near-instant global value transfers with blockchain transparency. By integrating with Circle’s infrastructure, including Circle Mint and CPN, ClearBank aims to connect its cloud-native banking platform with Circle’s settlement network, supporting faster and lower-cost cross-border transactions. Both firms are also exploring further use cases such as stablecoin-based treasury solutions and tokenised asset settlement integrations to support the development of future financial services. Mark Fairless, Chief Executive Officer at ClearBank, said: Mark Fairless “Joining Circle Payments Network will be a significant milestone in ClearBank’s evolution as a cross-border payments innovator. Circle is redefining how money moves globally, and this collaboration will bring together our strengths in regulated banking infrastructure with their leadership in digital currency technology.” Sanja Kon, Vice President of Partnerships & Business Development, EMEA at Circle, said: Sanja Kon “In addition, our collaboration will expand access to USDC and EURC, enabling faster settlement, greater transparency, and new financial services built on open, programmable money.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by etmicreation10 via Freepik The post ClearBank Partners with Circle to Expand Stablecoin Access in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Ferrari is entering the crypto market with plans to launch a new digital token aimed at tech-savvy younger investors. The token will allow the brand’s most affluent clients to bid for a Ferrari 499P, the endurance car that claimed three consecutive Le Mans titles, according to Reuters. The initiative, developed with Italian fintech firm Conio, is designed for members of Ferrari’s Hyperclub, an exclusive group of around 100 clients with a passion for endurance racing, who will be able to trade the ‘Token Ferrari 499P’ and use it to participate in the auction. The token is expected to debut alongside the 2027 World Endurance Championship season. Enrico Galliera “This is about strengthening the sense of belonging among our most loyal customers,” said Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. The move follows Ferrari’s 2023 decision to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC for car purchases in the US, a service extended to Europe last year. Conio, which is applying for a license under the EU’s new crypto regulations, sees significant potential in the partnership.   Featured image credit: Ferrari The post Ferrari to Launch Exclusive Crypto Token for Elite Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Nine fintech founders, executives and investors have been named among Europe’s top 100 women in technology, recognized for their impact in digital finance, drive, and ingenuity. Sifted’s inaugural 100 Women in Tech in Europe 2025 spotlights the 100 women making a real impact and shaping the future of the European tech ecosystem. These women were selected among over 2,500 nominations, shortlisted by a panel of tech figures representing organizations such as Wise, Starling, Slush, and HV Capital. Of the 100 women that made it into the 2025 100 Women in Tech in Europe list, nine are involved in the fintech and insurtech sectors, spearheading innovation, and supporting the region’s next generation of tech champions. These women represent companies like insurtech startup Cachet, investment firm Index Ventures, and fintech startup Banxware, serving as driving forces behind their companies and advocating for other women in their industries. Elin Bäcklund, CTO, Gilion Elin Bäcklund, CTO, Gilion Elin Bäcklund is the CTO of Gilion, where she oversees the company’s technical innovation and direction. Founded in 2021 in Stockholm, Gilion, formerly known as Ark Kapital, provides loans to high-growth companies in the field of software as a service (SaaS), operating in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany. Before joining Gilion, Bäcklund led the development of Motherbrain, EQT’s machine learning (ML) platform designed to identify promising investment opportunities. Gabriele Papievyte, Head of Ventures, XTX Markets Gabriele Papievyte, Head of Ventures, XTX Markets Gabriele Papievyte leads XTX Ventures at XTX Markets, an algorithmic market maker leveraging machine learning (ML) to optimize financial markets. Launched in London in 2017, XTX Ventures invests in late-seed to Series A companies working on ML and artificial intelligence (AI) software, or deeptech, providing between US$500,000 and US$5 million per deal. It has nearly 30 active portfolio companies, including Anthropic, Groq, and Tenstorrent. Papievyte serves on the boards of multiple of XTX Ventures portfolio companies. She is also an active member of the LT Big Brother mentorship program, the Conception X deeptech advisory board, and as an advisor for the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Previously, she helped launch Inovia Capital’s European operations and a US$450 million growth fund, have invested and supported the boards of Neo4j and Zwift. She started her career in technology mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and startups. Hedi Mardisoo, Co-Founder and CEO, Cachet Hedi Mardisoo, Co-Founder and CEO, Cachet Hedi Mardisoo is the co-founder and CEO of Cachet, an Estonia-headquartered Techstars portfolio company transforming the insurance industry for the platform economy. Cachet leverages cross-market data to offer personalized and flexible insurance solutions based on real gig-work activity. The company operates in over 20 European countries and partner with over 15 insurers and a number of leading platforms. Mardisoo is an experienced leader with more than 20 years of international management experience. Prior to Cachet, she served as the head of corporate affairs, group business support and group IT, at Swedbank and as the CMO of telecommunications provider Starman (now Elisa). She has also consulted and advised Estonian tech companies and startups like Click and Grow. Kärt Siilats, Co-Founder, Mojo Capital, Venture Partner, SuperAngel Kärt Siilats, Co-Founder, Mojo Capital, Venture Partner, SuperAngel Kärt Siilats is the co-founder of Mojo Capital, a Luxembourg-based investment firm backing European digital technology growth organizations. The firm invests in European VC funds like Seedcamp and in startups like cross-border firm Wise, point-of-sale (POS) terminal provider Zettle by PayPal, previously known as iZettle, open banking startup Tink, and AI-powered identity verification startup Veriff. Siilats also serves as a venture partner at Superangel, an early-stage Baltic-Nordic fund investing in innovation-driven startups, and as an angel investor and mentor, at Techstars and Creative Destruction Labs. She also co-founded GoBeyond Capital that focuses on diverse angel investments and syndicates and giving exceptional young people gender-balanced access to VC industry via the 101 Fellowship. Katharina Wilhelm, Partner, Index Ventures Katharina Wilhelm, Partner, Index Ventures Katharina Wilhelm is a partner at Index Ventures, a European VC firm. Based in Berlin and London, Wilhelm focuses on business-to-business (B2B) startups solving complex enterprise challenges, serving as Index’s lead investor for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH). She works with companies like Duna, a business identity platform that simplifies compliance and customers onboarding, and Taxfix, an AI-native financial platform for digital tax solutions. Born and raised in Germany, Wilhelm holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelors degree from the University of St. Gallen. Prior to joining Index, she invested in early-stage enterprise and productivity software at Cherry Ventures. She started her career at The Boston Consulting Group, based in Zurich. Lina Chong, Partner, HV Capital Lina Chong, Partner, HV Capital Lina Chong is a partner at HV Capital, an early-stage and growth investor in Europe where she leads investments in B2B SaaS and enterprise software across the region. With a proven track record in finding and scaling European startups like iZettle, TravelPerk, and Fresha, she’s been a driving force behind their growth, leveraging her experience at Target Global and Hasso Plattner Ventures as well as her deep operator experience as a founder. Before moving into VC, Chong co-founded and exited two consumer-facing companies, DealKeren and Luster. She is trained in philosophy and law, and is known as a founder-first investor passionate about empowering Europe’s next wave of enterprise innovators. Miriam Wohlfarth, Founder and Co-CEO, Banxware Miriam Wohlfarth, Founder and Co-CEO, Banxware Miriam Wohlfarth is the founder and co-CEO of Banxware, a company established in 2020 in Germany to provide embedded finance solutions for digital businesses. Before Banxware, Wohlfarth founded Ratepay in 2009, now a unicorn and part of Nexi, and co-founded Paymentandbanking.com, a financial news portal. Since 2019, she has been a shareholder of the Startup Teens Network. Besides her role at Banxware, Wohlfarth is also a supervisory board member at Daimler Mobility, Freenet, and talentsconnect. Additionally, she is a member of the Digital Finance Forum of the German Federal Ministry of Finance, and serves as co-chair of the Federal Association of German Startups. Triin Hertmann, Angel Investor Triin Hertmann, Angel Investor Triin Hertmann is an experienced angel investor, fund limited partner, and co-founder of Grünfin, a sustainable investment platform based in Estonia. With 20 years of experience in tech and fintech, Hertmann previously spent six years at Skype before joining Wise as its second employee, where she built the finance and payments operations from the ground up. Today, she focuses her investments on impact-driven and female-founded startups, combining her operational background with a mission to create a more sustainable and inclusive startup ecosystem. Triin Linamagi, Founder and CEO, Sie Ventures Triin Linamagi, Founder and CEO, Sie Ventures Triin Linamagi is the founder and CEO of Sie Ventures, a capital platform for female-founded and co-founded businesses, and investors in Europe. Sie Ventures’s goal is to close the gender funding gap by providing female founders with better access to capital, investor network, and experienced founder community. So far, it has supported over 100 companies that have collectively raised GBP 200 million (US$267 million). Prior to Sie Ventures, Linamagi was an investor at TVC. She also served as the investment lead in fintech and AI at Founders Factory, and was the head of ecosystem and a portfolio manager at Startupbootcamp Fintech.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by fabrikasimf via Freepik The post 9 Fintech Leaders Named Among Europe’s Top 100 Women in Tech in 2025 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Mid- and late-stage fintech deals have reached a four-year high in 2025, accounting for 22% of all fintech transactions in the first three quarters of the year, underscoring a continued shift toward fewer, larger investments in more established fintech companies, according to a new report by CB Insights. In contrast, early-stage deals have declined to 66% of total activity, down six points from 2024. Share of mid- and late-stage deals in global fintech, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2024, CB Insights and Money20/20, Oct 2025 The growing share of mid- and late-stage deals is pushing average deal sizes higher. As of 2025 year-to-date (YTD), the average fintech deal size stood at US$17 million, up 37% YoY from US$12.4 million in 2024, marking a four-year high. At the same time, fintech deal counts continue to decline. In Q3 2025, fintech companies closed 795 deals, down from 967 transactions in Q3 2024. Despite fewer transactions, total funding volume increased to US$10.9 billion in Q3 2025, compared to US$8.5 billion in Q3 2024. Quarterly global fintech equity funding and average fintech deal sizes, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2024, CB Insights and Money20/20, Oct 2025 Wealthtech maintains strong performance In Q3 2025, wealthtech continued to gain traction, raising US$1.6 billion. This amount brings the 2025 YTD total to US$4.2 billion, already surpassing 2024’s full-year total of US$3.3 billion. The vertical secured the biggest funding round of the quarter, with iCapital raising US$820 million in July at a US$7.5 billion valuation. Headquartered in New York, iCapital offers a range of non-traditional investment products for the private markets. The company has US$945 billion of assets serviced globally on its platform, including US$257 billion in alternative platform assets, US$203 billion in structured investments and annuities outstanding, and US$485 billion in client assets reported on, and serves over 3,000 wealth management firms and 114,000 active financial professionals. Wealthtech companies are also expanding rapidly. According to CB Insights’ talent signals, three of the top five fastest-growing fintech markets in YoY hiring are in the wealthtech sector, underscoring strong confidence in digital-first wealth management solutions. These markets are financial advisor productivity tools, wealth management banking and lending platforms, and AI investment intelligence platforms, which are experiencing a 51.6%, 27%, and 26.1% YoY headcount growth, respectively. Wealthtech hiring surges, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2024, CB Insights and Money20/20, Oct 2025 Digital assets remain a key focus In Q3 2025, digital assets continued to attract significant investor interest. Crypto exchange platform Kraken secured the second-largest fintech equity rounds globally of Q3 2025, raising a US$500 million Series D in September at a US$15 billion valuation. Digital assets also led the fintech exit rebound, with many of Q3’s largest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and initial public offering (IPO) deals occurring in the crypto space, signaling rising institutional adoption. Notable crypto M&A transactions in Q3 2025 included: AlloyX, a stablecoin infrastructure provider acquired by financial services firm Solowin for US$350 million; Plus Wallet, acquired by Cold Wallet for US$270 million; Rail, a stablecoin-powered platform for global payments acquired by Ripple for US$200 million; and Caleb and Brown, a crypto brokerage and asset manager focused on high-net-worth private investors in the US acquired by Australian crypto exchange Swyftx. Quarterly fintech M&A exits surged in Q3 2025, reaching a total of 249 transactions and marking a three-year high. IPOs for the quarter also hit a 16-quarter high, at 15. The most significant listings included Klarna (US$15.1 billion), Accelerant (US$6.4 billion), and Bullish (US$5.6 billion). Klarna is a digital bank and flexible payment provider with 111 active Klarna consumers and 790,000 merchants, Accelerant is a data-driven risk exchange connecting underwriters of specialty insurance risk with risk capital providers, and Bullish is a crypto exchange operator targeting institutional clients. Fintech M&A exits, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2024, CB Insights and Money20/20, Oct 2025 Global fintech funding has rebounded significantly this year, reaching a total of US$32.6 billion in the first three quarters of the year, and nearly matching the US$35.7 billion total recorded for all of 2024. Europe accounted for 16.3% of that amount, raising a total of US$5.3 billion in 2025 YTD. The UK continued to dominate the landscape, securing some of 2025 YTD’s largest rounds among which agentic AI startup Xelix’s US$160 million Series B, distributed ledger technology payment network operator Fnality’s US$136 million Series C, and cloud mining platform PBK Miner’s US$80 million Series B.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik via Freepik The post Mid- and Late-Stage Fintech Deals Rise, Driving Larger Rounds; Wealthtech Sustains Growth Momentum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

FalconX, an institutional digital asset prime brokerage, has agreed to acquire 21Shares, the provider of the world’s largest range of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds and products (ETFs/ETPs). The transaction marks a significant step in FalconX’s strategy to bridge listed markets and digital assets, expanding its presence across the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The acquisition combines 21Shares’ expertise in asset management product development and distribution with FalconX’s institutional-grade infrastructure, structuring capabilities, and risk management platform. Together, the firms aim to develop investment products that address growing institutional and retail demand for regulated digital asset exposure. Founded in 2018 by Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder, 21Shares manages over US$11 billion in assets across 55 listed products as of 30 September. Its technology platform and established partner network have supported rapid product development and market expansion. FalconX, co-founded by Raghu Yarlagadda, has facilitated over US$2 trillion in trading volume and serves more than 2,000 institutional clients through its trading, credit, and technology infrastructure. Raghu Yarlagadda “21Shares has built one of the most trusted and innovative product platforms in digital assets,” said Raghu Yarlagadda, CEO of FalconX. “We’re seeing a convergence between digital assets and traditional financial markets, as crypto ETPs open new channels for investor participation through regulated, familiar structures. Extending FalconX’s infrastructure into listed markets through 21Shares is a natural next step.” Russell Barlow “Our goal has been to make crypto investing accessible through leading exchange-traded products,” added Russell Barlow, CEO of 21Shares. “FalconX will enable us to expand our reach and respond more effectively to the evolving needs of digital asset investors.” Following completion, 21Shares will remain independently managed under the FalconX group. Barlow will continue as CEO, working with FalconX’s leadership to advance a shared vision for the digital assets sector. No changes are planned to the construction or investment objectives of existing 21Shares ETPs in Europe or ETFs in the US.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post FalconX to Acquire 21Shares in Major Digital Asset Industry Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Relai, a Swiss Bitcoin startup, has marked a significant milestone by obtaining authorisation as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation. The license, granted by France’s Financial Markets Authority (AMF), positions Relai among the first Bitcoin-focused firms to receive such approval in Europe. The company, which raised a Series A funding round last year and has surpassed 500,000 app downloads, plans to extend its services to users across the European Union following completion of the passporting notification process. Previously focused on Switzerland and Italy, Relai aims to broaden access to Bitcoin across the EU through its regulated platform. The MiCA license will allow Relai to introduce new features to its European user base, including instant SEPA transfers for faster Bitcoin purchases, higher trading limits, fixed pricing for greater transparency, educational resources, security enhancements, and a programme of events across Europe. Julian Liniger “We’re incredibly proud to be one of the first Bitcoin companies to get the MiCA licence and are eager to expand to France first and Europe in a second step,” said Julian Liniger, Co-Founder and CEO of Relai AG. Relai has also established an advisory board comprising Jean Guillaume, Daniel Astraud, and Hervé de Kerdrel, all experienced industry figures who will support the company’s European expansion. With this regulatory approval, Relai plans to develop new products, organise marketing campaigns and events in 2026, and roll out further updates to its app in the coming weeks.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post Relai Secures MiCA License from France’s AMF to Expand Across EU appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Revolut has secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), enabling it to offer regulated cryptocurrency services across all 30 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). Revolut, which serves more than 65 million customers worldwide, said the authorisation reaffirms its compliance-first approach to digital assets, CoinDesk reported. The company plans to launch “Crypto 2.0,” an upgraded platform featuring over 280 tokens, zero-fee staking with rewards of up to 22% annual yield, and direct 1:1 stablecoin-to-USD conversions without spread. Revolut’s Cyprus base will act as a hub for its EEA crypto operations as MiCA regulations take effect across the EU, reshaping how exchanges and wallet providers operate. The move builds on the success of its Revolut X trading platform and integrations with wallets such as MetaMask and Ledger. Costas Michael “Securing the license reflects CySEC’s trust in our regulatory standards,” said Costas Michael, CEO of Revolut Digital Assets Europe. “MiCA gives us the clarity to deliver trusted, next-generation crypto products for Europe’s growing digital finance community.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by appshunter.io via Unsplash The post Revolut Secures MiCA License in Cyprus for EU Crypto Operations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Sifted, a Financial Times-backed media outlet focusing on the European startup ecosystem, has released its 2025 selection of the 250 fastest-growing startups in Europe, ranking these companies based on their revenue growth over the past three financial years. These 250 startups, which span industries including fintech, business-to-business (B2B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) and climate, generated a combined EUR 9.3 billion in revenues over the past three years at an average two-year revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 226%. Together, they employ nearly 25,000 people, making them significant engines of economic growth. This year, Sifted 250 reveals a more mature tech ecosystem in Europe. The number of profitable companies in the ranking has risen from 37 in 2024 to 57 in 2025, while the number of startups generating more than US$100 million in annual revenue have leapt from four to 18. Average revenues are also up, rising 48% year-over-year (YoY) from EUR 17.1 million to EUR 25.3 million. Fintech is leading the 2025 Sifted 250 list, accounting for 31.2% of all the startups featured. The vertical overtakes B2B SaaS, which slipped to second place, followed by climate. Digital banking remains the most represented sector with 15 companies. However, it is insurtech that recorded the biggest gains, adding seven companies compared to last year. Today, we spotlight the top 10 fintech companies in Europe featured in the Sifted 250 list, looking at those that have recorded the strongest growth over the past three years. We delve into their value propositions, what sets them apart, and what they have in store for the year onwards. Finmid (Germany) – 582.9% Finmid mockup, Source: Finmid Ranked eighth in the overall list with a two-year revenue CAGR of 582.9%, Finmid is Berlin-based embedded lending infrastructure provider founded in 2021. The company enables marketplaces and platforms to provide tailored financial services to their clients at the right place and time. Finmid’s infrastructure is available in 30 European markets, serving over 32 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated more than EUR 4 billion in capital offers to European SMEs via partners including Wolt, Glovo (Delivery Hero), and Bolt. Narvi Payments (Finland) – 570.82% Narvi Payments illustration, Source: Narvi Payments Ranked ninth in the overall list with a two-year revenue CAGR of 570.82%, Narvi Payments is a Finnish regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI) founded in 2021. The company has built its own core banking technology which allows for better banking experience for users, and relies on an API-first approach to let businesses seamlessly integrate payments. Narvi Payments’ main offerings include IBAN accounts and international payment solutions via SEPA and SWIFT, primarily catering to business clients across the Nordics, Baltics, and broader European Union (EU) region. Key advantages include fast, paperless onboarding, robust security features, multi-user access, and transparent pricing. Narvi Payments claims a user base of 1,000-2,000 primarily corporate customers. Roundtable (France) – 516.44% Roundtable illustration, Source: Roundtable Ranked 14th with a two-year revenue CAGR of 516.44%, Roundtable is a French startup founded in 2021 which provides a community-driven investment platform for private assets in Europe. It enables individual investors and business angels to pool together and co-invest in startups or venture capital (VC) deals via simplified legal and financial structures. It also offers “fund-as-a-service” to help angels set up micro-funds more rapidly by handling regulatory, administrative and back-office tasks. Roundtable manages over EUR million worth of assets, supports 450+ investment clubs, and connects 25,000+ investors from 100+ nationalities, facilitating 750+ deals and 15+ funds ranging from EUR 30,000 to EUR 20 million. Monument Bank (UK) – 494.27% Monument Bank illustration, Source: Monument Bank Ranked 17th with a two-year revenue CAGR of 494.27%, Monument Bank is a fully regulated UK bank headquartered in London. It serves the mass-affluent market, offering a range of high-yield savings savings products, including Easy Access, Limited Access, Fixed Term Deposits, Notice Accounts and an Easy Access Cash Individual Savings Account (ISA), in addition to innovative wealth-tracking tools and curated lifestyle experiences. Monument Bank claims over GBP 6 billion in deposits and 86,000 customers. It is eyeing its first full year of profitability in 2026, and says it is about to close its Series C round, which will exceed US$100 million. Anyday (Denmark) – 444.23% Anyday mockup, Source: Anyday Ranked 23rd with a two-year revenue CAGR of 444.23%, Anyday is a Danish fintech company founded in 2020 offering buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements. Its service allows customers of online stores to split their payments into smaller installments, typically four interest-free installments with no fees, but also six, eight, or ten installments for a small one-time fee. Anyday is designed to combine seamless checkout experience with transparency and ease of use, offering customers flexibility while providing businesses with higher basket sizes and improved conversion rates. Since its launch, Anyday has seen impressive growth, attracting over 200,000 Danish users, and 3,000 partnered merchants. Opti (Sweden) – 443.61% Opti mockup, Source: Opti Ranked 24th with a two-year revenue CAGR of 443.61%, Opti is an automatic savings and investment service designed to give everyone in Sweden access to high-quality wealth management at a low cost. Founded in 2014, the company uses modern financial research to provide broad, globally diversified portfolios matched to each customer’s risk level. Opti offers several services within savings and investment, including savings accounts, investment savings accounts (ISKs), occupational pension transfers, and capital insurance for companies. The startup claims more than 100,000 customers in Sweden, and over 600,000 downloads. Indo (Iceland) – 431.28% Indo mockup, Source: Indo Ranked 25th with a two-year revenue CAGR of 431.28%, Indo is an Icelandic neobanking startup. Founded in 2018, the company positions itself as a smaller, more transparent, and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional banks, offering a debit card account, and a simple and convenient app, with no transaction fees, and no monthly or yearly fees on debit cards. Indo launched to the public in January 2023, and managed to acquire over 32,000 accounts for Icelandic households in the span of just six months. Flagright (UK) – 347.21% Flagright illustration, Source: Flagright Ranked 32rd with a two-year revenue CAGR of 347.21%, Flagright is a regtech startup providing artificial intelligence (AI)-native transaction monitoring. Flagright is built as a highly customizable, risk‑based platform which enables financial institutions to centralize detection, investigation, and reporting of suspicious activity, streamlining regulatory workflows and strengthening financial crime controls. The solution integrates anti-money laundering (AML) screening that links each transaction and entity to global sanctions and watchlists, dynamic risk scoring that embeds behavioral and contextual risk directly into detection logic, and centralized case management that automates alert triage, investigation workflows, and suspicious activity report (SAR) filing. It claims it can reduce false positives by 93%, compliance costs by 80%, and operational errors by 27%. Flagright serves financial institutions in over 30 countries, helping them manage risk across cards, wallets, transfers, and stablecoin transactions. The company secured US$4.3 million in seed funding in March 2025 to fund international expansion. Abound (UK) – 331.48% Abound illustration, Source: Abound Ranked 37th with a two-year revenue CAGR of 331.48%, Abound is a London-based fintech offering low-cost, fair and flexible loans between GBP 1,000 to GBP 20,000 for up to 5 years. Abound uses open banking and AI to analyze customers’ bank transactions in real time. This provides a more accurate view of affordability compared to traditional credit scores, which often rely on statistical averages and limited data. Abound also provides its proprietary lending platform, Render, to companies looking to improve their credit decisioning or looking to launch lending products for the first time. This year, Abound surpassed GBP 1 billion in total lending volume, less than five years after launching. For the year to February 2025, the company reported GBP 8 million in net profit. Abound recently raised a new GBP 250 million lending facility from Deutsche Bank. In total, the company has raised over GBP 1.6 billion in debt and equity since launch from investors including Citi, Deutsche Bank, Salica, Informed Ventures, and West Coast Capital. Chift (Belgium) – 311.83% Chift illustration, Source: Chift Ranked 43rd with a two-year revenue of CAGR of 311.83%, Chift is a Belgian company that simplifies and accelerate software integrations. Chift provides a powerful, unified API that allows software vendors to connect once and immediately integrate with more than 90 financial tools, including accounting, invoicing, customer relationship management (CRM), e-commerce, point-of-sale (POS), payment, and property management systems across Europe. This allows clients to active complex integration with minimal development and zero ongoing maintenance.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by kat_ka via Freepik The post Europe’s 10 Fastest-Growing Fintech Startups in 2025 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Central banks have long been early adopters of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), using these technologies to generate insights for statistics, research, and policy well before AI became a popular topic. A new report by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) examines how these authorities are leveraging AI, highlighting four main areas where the technology is being utilized: data and statistics collection, macroeconomic and financial analysis, payment system oversight, and supervision and financial stability analysis. According to the report, over 85% of central banks in advanced economies (AEs) are using big data for economic research, a share that stands at about 70% for central banks in emerging market economies (EMEs). These figures make it the most common area of adoption. Financial stability is the next most frequent area of use, with approximately 80% of AEs and 55% of EMEs applying big data techniques. This is followed by monetary policy, adopted by around 75% of AEs and 45% of EMEs, and statistical compilation, with usage rates of roughly 70% and 65%, respectively. Purposes for which central banks use big data, Source: The use of artificial intelligence for policy purposes, Bank for International Settlements, Oct 2025 Data collection and statistical analysis Around the world, central banks are collecting data from a large variety of sources both to use internally and make available as a public good. To ensure high-quality data for analysis and reporting, many authorities are increasingly using ML techniques. One notable example is the use of isolation forests, a variation of random forests, on large and granular data sets. These models are highly scalable and can identify outliers regardless of the shape of the data’s distribution, making them valuable for detecting anomalies in derivatives data or benchmarking outliers identified through manual analysis. Macroeconomic and financial analysis Central banks are also using ML for macroeconomic and financial analysis, particularly in nowcasting where the goal is to estimate current economic conditions to support monetary policy. Because access to timely data remains a bottleneck, ML models are helping bridge this gap by seamlessly transforming unstructured data into structured and high-frequency indicators, allowing central banks to track inflation expectations through social media sentiment, construct economic sentiment indices from financial news, and decompose inflation drivers using neural networks, among other applications. The use of granular sources also deepens insights into sectoral and regional trends. For example, ML algorithms can mine job posting databases or e-commerce portals to trace wages and hiring across occupations and industries, shedding light on technology-driven displacement, re-employment speeds and wage formation. Supervision and financial stability AI and ML are also transforming how central banks carry out supervision and financial stability functions. These tools are supporting tasks such as document processing, knowledge management, and document review, helping analysts process large volumes of information including news articles, internal bank documents, and supervisory reports. They also enhance market surveillance, allowing authorities to seamlessly detect patterns in trading data or market sentiment that may signal volatility or asset bubbles. More than 20% of supervisory authorities are using AI to automate supervisory process, according to a recent survey. Around 15% apply AI in financial risk assessment, while approximatively 11% use the technology for environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, and risk horizon scanning. AI-driven supervisory platforms To harness the full potential of AI, the report notes that a growing number of central banks around the world are developing unified AI platforms to manage unstructured supervisory data. The European Central Bank (ECB)’s Athena, for example, consolidates public and supervisory documents into a single system, facilitating supervisory analysis of unstructured data, and enabling sentiment analysis and topic identification. In the US, the Federal Reserve’s Language EXtraction Engine (LEX) improves supervisors’ access to pertinent material scattered across millions of files and shortens review times. Finally, in Brazil, the central bank has developed ADAM, a ML tool that’s capable of examining the entire credit portfolio of a supervised firm and identify credit exposures with inadequately recognized expected losses. The solution can review 3 million exposures to customers in just 24 hours, a task that would take a team of 10 experienced inspectors about 30 years. BIS Innovation Hub’s AI projects To support central banks and financial supervisors, the BIS Innovation Hub (BISIH) has explored various AI applications across diverse domains, including ESG reporting, regtech, and cybersecurity. Project Neo, a collaboration between the BISIH Swiss Centre and the Swiss National Bank (SNB), aims to examine how AI and granular data from companies can support central banks in monitoring economic activity, generate economic insights and enhance short-term forecasts of key macroeconomic statistics, such as inflation, GDP, and consumption. Project Gaia, developed by the BISIH in collaboration with the Deutsche Bundesbank and the ECB, explores how AI-driven text extraction can provide high-quality, accessible data at scale for a wide range of applications in money and finance. One focal point is climate-related risks, where a lack of global reporting standards currently makes comparison difficult. Project Aurora, led by BISIH’s Nordic Centre, applies AI, ML privacy enhancing technologies and network analysis to develop new ways of combating money laundering. Phase one of the project, which concluded in 2023, demonstrated that these technologies can detect up to three times more complex money laundering schemes and reduce false positives by up to 80%. Finally, Project Raven, another project led by BISIH’s Nordic Centre, aims to use AI to help authorities comprehensively assess the cyber security and resilience maturity readiness of their countries’ financial systems, identify areas of action and trends over time, and streamline regulatory reporting through intelligent automation. An overview of BIS Innovation Hub projects using AI, Source: The use of artificial intelligence for policy purposes, Bank for International Settlements, Oct 2025 Privacy, cybersecurity, talent shortage among top challenges Despite these advances, central banks face a number of challenges in adopting AI and ML, especially in areas including privacy, cybersecurity, and algorithmic bias. They must also balance trade-offs between using external versus internal AI models, as well as in collecting and providing in-house data versus purchasing them from external providers. Central banks’ top challenges and risks in adoption AI/ML, Source: The use of artificial intelligence for policy purposes, Bank for International Settlements, Oct 2025 Hiring talent is another critical challenge, with nearly nine in ten central banks reporting heavier recruitment headwinds, especially for cybersecurity, IT, fintech and AI roles. Many are closing the gaps by blending permanent staff with consultants, contractors and remote specialists, and by emphasizing their public interest mission, unique data assets and training opportunities to candidates who might otherwise choose the private sector. Challenges in recruitment and retention, Source: The use of artificial intelligence for policy purposes, Bank for International Settlements, Oct 2025 Central banks have steadily increased their budgets for AI and ML initiatives over the past years, and will continue to do. Three years ago, only about 2% of central banks allocated more than 5% of their total budget to AI and ML projects. Today, that proportion stands at about 10%. Over the next three years, this share is expected to exceed 40%, with more than 5% of institutions projected to dedicate over 10% of their budgets to AI and ML initiatives. Internal discussion on AI/ML and budget allocation, Source: The use of artificial intelligence for policy purposes, Bank for International Settlements, Oct 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik via Freepik The post Central Banks Embrace AI, ML to Enhance Supervision, Policy, and Financial Stability appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The Swiss Federal Council has launched a consultation on a proposed amendment to the Financial Institutions Act. The bill aims to update the regulatory framework to support market development, integrate innovative financial technologies, and mitigate risks to financial stability, integrity, and investor and consumer protection. The consultation will run until 6 February 2026. The proposed amendment introduces two new license categories. Payment instrument institutions would replace the existing fintech license, with adjustments to improve attractiveness and consumer protection. Client funds would be segregated in the event of institution failure, and the current CHF 100 million limit on taking client deposits would be removed. These institutions would also be permitted to issue a special type of stablecoin, subject to defined obligations, including detailed anti-money laundering due diligence requirements. Crypto-institutions would provide services with cryptocurrencies. Their licensing and operational criteria are based on those for securities firms but are less comprehensive, as they do not offer services with financial instruments. They must also meet requirements to prevent conflicts of interest. “Certain adjustments are still necessary in order to further improve the attractiveness of the Swiss regulatory framework and to strengthen consumer protection,” the Federal Council said in its 2022 evaluation report. The new bill also implements international standards for the supervision of stablecoins and other cryptocurrency services.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Swiss Federal Council Proposes Financial Institutions Act Update for Crypto, Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Allica Bank, a UK-based SME lender, has acquired Kriya, a SME lending fintech also based in the UK, specialising in working capital and embedded finance. The acquisition expands Allica’s SME lending capabilities and marks its entry into the embedded payments market. The two businesses are seen as a strategic fit, combining complementary strengths in lending and payments. Kriya will continue to operate under its own brand, with CEO and co-founder Anil Stocker remaining in charge. All Kriya employees will join Allica as part of the transaction. Since 2020, Allica has lent £3.5 billion to SMEs. With Kriya, the bank aims to provide £1 billion in working capital finance over the next three years, targeting 10% of the established SME finance market by 2028. Kriya has processed over £4 billion in invoice finance, SME loans, and embedded finance, supporting more than 300,000 transactions. Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, said: Richard Davies “For too long SMEs have struggled to access the flexible finance they need as the high street banks have retrenched. Allica is building something different, a better way to serve Britain’s established SMEs. Kriya has built an impressive business over more than a decade, and Anil and his team share our belief that SME finance needs reinventing.” Anil Stocker, CEO of Kriya, added: Anil Stocker “Our customers will continue to get the same service and support from Kriya, but now with the backing and reach of one of the UK’s fastest growing banks.”   Featured image credit: Allica Bank The post Allica Bank Expands SME Lending Through Kriya Acquisition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

China’s Baidu announced that Apollo Go, its autonomous ride-hailing service, has entered a strategic partnership with PostBus, the public transport subsidiary of Swiss Post, to launch an on-demand autonomous mobility service, AmiGo, in Switzerland. The service aims to complement Switzerland’s public transport system by deploying Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles in eastern Switzerland, covering the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Trial operations are set to begin in December 2025, with full-scale operations expected by the first quarter of 2027. Once launched, customers will be able to book autonomous vehicles through a mobile app for private or shared rides. Liang Zhang “We are honoured to partner with PostBus to introduce autonomous ride-hailing in Switzerland,” said Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA, Baidu Apollo. “As the world’s leading and China’s largest operator of Level 4 autonomous vehicles, we are bringing our proven technology and operational experience from fully driverless fleets in over a dozen cities to Europe.” Stefan Regli, CEO of PostBus, added: Stefan Regli “Through AmiGo, we are bringing the mobility of the future to eastern Switzerland, flexible, digital, and aligned with our customers’ needs.” Apollo Go will provide its latest-generation Level 4 electric vehicles, the RT6, which can carry up to four passengers and feature a detachable steering wheel to enable fully autonomous operations. PostBus, as the local operator, will oversee service deployment and continue its role in advancing autonomous driving technology in Switzerland. Initial testing in late 2025 will involve mapping trips with safety drivers on board. Pilot services for selected users will follow in the first half of 2026, with driverless trials anticipated later that year. Regular operations are planned for early 2027, subject to safety and regulatory approval.   Featured image credit: Apollo Go The post Baidu’s Apollo Go, PostBus to Launch Autonomous Ride Service in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

TrueLayer, a London-based Pay by Bank network, has announced an agreement to acquire Zimpler, a Sweden-based Pay by Bank provider. The deal combines two key players in Europe’s account-to-account (A2A) payments space, strengthening TrueLayer’s presence across the region. The acquisition expands TrueLayer’s network to more than 20 million users, adding coverage in Sweden and Finland, and incorporating Swish payment rail integration. This move enhances the company’s reach in the Nordic market, where A2A payments already see high adoption rates. Founded in 2012 by Johan Friis and Kristofer Ekman Sinclair, Zimpler has established a strong position in the Nordics. Following the acquisition, its founders and shareholders will join TrueLayer’s existing backers, including Stripe, Northzone, and Tiger Global. Francesco Simoneschi “I am excited to welcome the Zimpler team to TrueLayer,” said Francesco Simoneschi, Co-founder and CEO of TrueLayer. “We’re combining talent, technology, and scale to accelerate Pay by Bank adoption across the continent.” Johan Strand “Joining forces with TrueLayer is a fantastic opportunity to build the leading Pay by Bank provider in Europe,” added Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler. “Our combined strengths will allow us to offer an even more compelling proposition to the market, while maintaining our operations and expertise in Sweden.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by pressfoto via Freepik The post TrueLayer to Acquire Zimpler, Expanding Pay by Bank Network Across Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Sola, a European fintech infrastructure company developing a payments and open banking gateway, has partnered with Salt Edge, a provider of open banking solutions, to expand its payment capabilities and support the adoption of alternative payment methods across Europe. Through integration with Salt Edge’s Payment Initiation Solution (PIS), Sola will have access to Salt Edge’s network of thousands of banks across the continent. The integration aims to provide merchants with more reliable, secure, and faster payment experiences in multiple markets. “Partnering with Salt Edge is a key milestone for Sola as we expand our open banking capabilities across Europe. Salt Edge’s regulatory expertise and robust connectivity complement our mission to deliver fast, secure, and scalable financial infrastructure. Together, we’re enabling businesses to build the next generation of payment experiences,” said Jūlija Pandeva, Chief Technology Officer at Sola. Businesses, from fintechs to established enterprises, often face challenges integrating payment and open banking solutions due to market fragmentation and complex regulatory environments. Sola’s gateway connects businesses to multiple financial infrastructures through a single API, providing speed, compliance, and scalability without major integration efforts. The partnership will allow businesses to access a wider range of banking connections, including in highly regulated markets, while reducing integration time and technical complexity. It will also help maintain security and compliance, ensuring transactions meet regulatory standards, and support a consistent experience for merchants with varied business models or high transaction volumes. Virgiliu Bodrug “The future of financial services belongs to companies bold enough to reimagine how money moves, and Sola is one of them. By combining Salt Edge’s open banking rails with Sola’s infrastructure, we’re making seamless payments possible for businesses across Europe,” said Virgiliu Bodrug, Senior Open Banking Solutions Expert at Salt Edge.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by stockexpert via Freepik The post Sola Partners with Salt Edge to Expand Open Banking in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

UBS has appointed Daniele Magazzeni as Chief AI Officer to strengthen the firm’s AI strategy, drive innovation, and expand the use of emerging technologies. Daniele joins UBS from J.P. Morgan, where he was Chief Analytics Officer for the EMEA region and the Commercial and Investment Bank. In that role, he led the firm’s global analytics agenda across markets, banking, payments, and securities services, focusing on developing AI capabilities, fostering innovation, and ensuring sound governance. He previously served as Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence at King’s College London. In his new position, Daniele will oversee UBS’s AI strategy, focusing on improving client services and employee productivity. He will also lead the Chief AI Office, which manages the implementation of AI tools and processes, ensures consistent standards, and builds a robust technological foundation across the organisation. He will be based in London and report to Mike Dargan, Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer, effective 1 January 2026. Mike Dargan “AI is a top priority for UBS,” said Mike Dargan. “I am delighted to welcome Daniele, with his experience in embedding AI into business processes, driving measurable efficiency improvements, and delivering commercial benefits. As Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, he will further optimise our use of traditional, generative, and agentic AI to transform operations and deliver advanced solutions for our clients.” Earlier this year, UBS launched several large-scale AI initiatives, known as Big Rocks, aimed at improving efficiency across the firm. UBS currently has over 300 active AI use cases, with tools such as M365 Copilot and its in-house AI Assistant, Red, being introduced to employees globally.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by lifeforstock via Freepik The post UBS Names Daniele Magazzeni as Chief AI Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, has begun rolling out two new products that tap into the core of retail banking, everyday spending. The launch marks a major step in Klarna’s mission to disrupt traditional retail banking and become a trusted everyday spending partner for consumers in the UK. The first product, Klarna Balance, allows customers to store e-money in a Klarna account, enabling them to add and withdraw funds, receive refunds, and earn cashback rewards on certain Klarna purchases. The second, the Klarna Card, is a flexible debit-first payment card where purchases are made by debit by default, though consumers can apply for a spending plan when credit makes sense. Powered by Visa Flexible Credential, the card is accepted at more than 150 million Visa merchant locations worldwide, both online and in-store. David Sandström, Chief Marketing Officer of Klarna, said: David Sandström “Traditional banks have taken the trust out of banking. We’re here to change that, and our new Klarna Card puts you in control: the simplicity of debit with the flexibility of credit, all wrapped in a beautifully simple experience.” The UK launch follows Klarna’s receipt of e-money authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in July this year and builds on the successful rollout of its card and balance products in other markets. Following the product’s debut in the US in July, the Klarna Card reached one million sign-ups within just 11 weeks. Klarna’s card portfolio now accounts for 10% of its global transactions, while its balance product in other regions has helped increase global deposits from US$9.5 billion in December 2024 to US$14 billion in June 2025.   Featured image credit: Klarna The post Klarna Launches Flexible Debit Card and Digital Wallet in UK appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Ripple has announced the acquisition of GTreasury, a US-based treasury management systems provider, in a deal valued at US$1 billion. The acquisition marks Ripple’s expansion into the corporate treasury sector, giving it access to a broad base of large international clients. GTreasury has over 40 years of experience supporting treasury operations for major global brands. Brad Garlinghouse “For too long, money has been stuck in slow, outdated payment systems and infrastructure, causing unnecessary delays, high costs, and barriers to entering new markets, problems that blockchain technologies are ideally suited to solve,” said Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple CEO. “Ripple’s and GTreasury’s capabilities together bring the best of both worlds, so treasury and finance teams can finally put their trapped capital to work, process payments instantly, and open up new growth opportunities.” As digital assets gain traction in global finance, corporate treasurers increasingly need to manage stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and other digital assets at scale. The acquisition combines Ripple’s digital asset infrastructure with GTreasury’s treasury management expertise to help customers manage and optimise liquidity in real time. According to both firms, the partnership will enable customers to unlock idle capital through access to the global repo market via prime broker Hidden Road, and to facilitate 24/7 cross-border payments using Ripple’s established payments infrastructure. Renaat Ver Eecke “This acquisition is a watershed moment for treasury management,” said Renaat Ver Eecke, GTreasury CEO. “We have focused on providing compliant and feature-rich solutions to corporations around the globe. Now, by joining Ripple, we are accelerating our vision from managing capital to activating it.” GTreasury’s platform is known for its risk management, foreign exchange, and compliance capabilities, which meet high regulatory standards. This is Ripple’s third acquisition in 2025, following purchases of prime broker Hidden Road and stablecoin platform Rail.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Difadesign via Freepik The post Ripple Buys GTreasury in US$1B Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Cryptocurrency and fintech sponsorships in Formula One (F1) have reached record levels in 2025, totaling US$273.6 million across 21 partners, according to new research by BitOK, an anti-money laundering (AML) solution provider for the crypto industry. The total represents a 9% year-over-year (YoY) increase in value and a 40% YoY increase in deal count, up from 15 partnerships worth US$251 million in 2024. These figures reflect substantial growth from previous years. Between 2019 and 2021, F1 recorded a total of 12 partnership deals involving eight different fintech or crypto partners, and totaling US$59.5 million. Number of F1 fintech partners 2021-2025, Source: BitOK, Sep 2025 Since 2019, 30 crypto and fintech brands have become F1 partners. The trend was kickstarted by Crypto.com’s five-year US$100 million sponsorship deal with F1 in 2021, marking the first cryptocurrency sponsorship in the sport. The crypto exchange remains one of F1’s longest-standing sponsors, with an agreement extending through 2030. F1 fintech partnerships’ cost in 2021-2025, Source: BitOK, Sep 2025 Deal sizes have also increased drastically. While the largest sponsorships in 2021 were valued at around US$20 million, recent agreements have reached up to US$50 million annually. These findings highlight the growing economic influence of the fintech and crypto sector in global motorsport. BitOK estimates that from 2021 to 2025, total sponsorship spending by fintech and crypto brands in F1 has exceeded US$1 billion. Crypto firms dominate fintech sponsorships This year, Stake, a crypto-based online casino and sports betting company, is the biggest F1 spender, with an estimated US$40 million title sponsorship deal with Swiss motorsport engineering company and race team Sauber Motorsport. The partnership, signed in 2023, covers the 2024 and 2025 seasons, during which Sauber competes as the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. Sauber Motorsport also signed a partnership with live streaming platform Kick in 2024, which shares Stake co-founder and owner Eddie Craven as investors. Kick’s name and logo replace Stake’s in countries where gambling and sports betting advertisements are not allowed. Becoming a title sponsor in F1 is among the most prestigious and expensive commitments in global sports marketing. According to motorsport sponsorship agency RTR Sports, title sponsorships typically start at U$20-30 million per year for lower-ranked teams, and can easily exceed US$60-70 million annually for front-running teams such as Ferrari, or Mercedes. In exceptional cases involving global giant firms like HP or Mastercard are involved, the value of the contract can surpass the US$100 million mark, making it one of the most costly brand alignments in professional sport. Global crypto exchange OKX is another prominent F1 sponsor. This year, the firm maintains one of the race’s most visible partnerships through its estimated US$32 million agreement with McLaren Racing, first signed in 2022. The partnership was expanded again in 2024, with OKX branding featured prominently on the McLaren car’s side pods and livery throughout the season. OKX is a crypto exchange and Web3 platform that allows users to trade, invest, and manage digital assets. The company claims more than 60 million customers around the globe, offering features such as spot and futures trading, staking, and decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, as well as a non-custodian wallet for accessing decentralized finance (DeFi) apps and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Similarly, Gate.io signed an estimated US$32 million multi-year strategic partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Racing team this year. The deal includes exclusive crypto-exchange partnership rights and extensive branding on key team assets. Gate.io is a crypto exchange, serving over 37 million users worldwide. Beyond trading, Gate.io provides a full suite of financial and blockchain services, including DeFi, Web3 solutions, research and analytics, venture capital (VC) investing, and startup incubation. Another major fintech sponsor is MoneyGram, which signed a title sponsorship deal worth an estimated US$30 million with Haas Formula, an American-licensed F1 racing team, for the 2023 season onwards. The team competes as the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. MoneyGram, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a global leader in cross-border payments and money transfers, serving 50 million customers in over 200 countries each year. Tech and finance lead F1 2025 sponsorships According to BitOK, technology and financial service brands are the largest investors in F1’s 2025 season, each accounting for around 20% of all new sponsorship deals. These industries view F1 as an ideal platform that combines cutting-edge technology, data-driven innovation, and a high-spending global audience. Other notable 2025 fintech and crypto sponsorship deals include: Coinbase’s estimated US$20 million deal with Aston Martin Aramco, paid entirely in the USDC stablecoin and marking F1’s first fully cryptocurrency-funded sponsorship; Binance and ApeCoin’s partnerships with Alpine, focusing on crypto education, blockchain solutions, and fan engagement through non-fungible tokens (NFTs); and Visa and Cash App’s joint title sponsorship of Red Bulls’ Racing Bulls racing team, now rebranded to the Visa Cash App RB team. Fintech Sponsors in Formula 1- 2025 Team-by-Team Breakdown of Finance Partnerships, Source: Fintech Branding Studio, Feb 2025     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Crypto, Fintech Sponsorships in Formula One Reach Record appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.