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

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

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

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

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

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

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.