Crypto never stands still, yet this week brings a rare moment of clarity and choice. While Polkadot (DOT) and Litecoin (LTC) continue moving in familiar, steady patterns, traders searching for more potential are turning to BlockDAG (BDAG). With over $224 million raised, a powerful referral program offering 25% bonuses, and growing buzz about its use […] The post BlockDAG’s $224M Presale & 25% Referral Bonus Spark Buyer Rush as Polkadot and Litecoin Move Steadily appeared first on TechBullion.

If our European fintech conference, FinovateEurope, is our most international event, then FinovateSpring—which kicks off next week in San Diego, May 7 through 9—is our most homegrown. This year, for example, only three of the 40+ companies that will be demoing their innovations live on stage are headquartered outside the United States. This week’s edition of Finovate Global leads off with an introduction to these three fintechs. Hailing from New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico City, respectively, these innovators will provide insights into the kinds of financial challenges faced and solutions sought by businesses and consumers alike. APIMatic – Auckland, New Zealand Founded in 2014, APIMatic is a developer experience platform for APIs that enables organizations to drive fast, widespread adoption of their APIs. The platform supports every stage of the API journey, from design and dynamic SDKs to code sample generation and end-to-end automation. Adeel Ali is Founder and CEO. Cinareo Solutions – Toronto, Ontario, Canada Cinareo Solutions offers a capacity planning platform that provides pro-active resource planning and financial analysis to cost-efficiently manage front- and back-office team members, as well as support staff. Launched in 2022, the company is a winner of Finovate’s Sustainability & Inclusion Scholarship Program. Karen Elliott is CEO. Hyperdesk – San Francisco, California and Mexico City, Mexico Founded in 2025, Hyperdesk provides an AI-powered search engine that helps credit unions and community banks grow their loans and deposits by better engaging with local businesses. Eric Yáñez is Founder and CEO. Here is our look at fintech innovation around the world. Central and Southern Asia Mongolia-based digital lender LendMN secured $20 million in debt financing from Lendable. TBC Uzbekistan launched its new SME lending product this week. Business Today India profiled Indian fintech Nucleus Software. Latin America and the Caribbean Uruguay-based cross-border payment platform dLocal announced a strategic partnership with online international education platform 51Talk. International identity verification firm Veriff opened new offices in São Paulo, Brazil. FinMont, an international payment orchestration platform, unveiled new offices in Bogotá, Colombia. Asia-Pacific Singapore fintech Surfin raised $26.5 million to provide financial solutions for the underbanked. Hong Kong-based Airstar Bank partnered with Tencent Cloud to migrate its operations to the cloud. Malaysia announced the operational launch of its Malaysian Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI). Sub-Saharan Africa Nigerian fintech and microfinance bank, Bankly, has been acquired by C-One Ventures. Fintech startup Djamo raised $17 million to boost financial inclusion in French-speaking Africa. The Central Bank of Nigeria imposed a $190,000 fine on Paystack for operating its latest solution, Zap, without the appropriate licensing. Central and Eastern Europe Slovenian payment processing company Bankart partnered with Iliad Solutions as its payment testing provider. Berlin, Germany-based corporate card platform Pliant raised $40 million in Series B funding. Polish fintech BidFinance raised €1.6 million in seed funding from 4growth VC, FundingBox, and a group of business angel investors. Middle East and Northern Africa UAE-based Islamic bank Ruya introduced a new service to enable customers to trade cryptocurrencies via its mobile app. The MENA Fintech Association (MFTA) welcomed Iraq-based digital payments and identity services provider International Smart Card (ISC). Alfardan Exchange partnered with iPiD to launch Qatar’s first real-time payee verification service. Photo by Gaël Gaborel – OrbisTerrae on Unsplash The post Finovate Global: Meet the International Alums of FinovateSpring 2025 appeared first on Finovate.       

This week we tracked more than 65 tech funding deals worth over €872 million, and over 15 exits, M&A transactions, rumours, and related news stories across Europe. In addition to this week's top financials, we've also indexed the most important/industry-related news items you need to know about. If email is more your thing, you can always subscribe to our newsletter and receive a more robust version of this round-up delivered to your inbox. Either way, let's get you up to speed. ? Notable and big funding rounds ?? Lhyfe receives €149M subsidy from the French government ?? Cast AI raises $108M to get the most out of AI, Kubernetes and other workloads ?? 1NCE raises $60M in funding ??‍?? Noteworthy acquisitions and mergers ?? The Heidelberg-based AI startup Aleph Alpha is acquiring the Karlsruhe-based deep tech startup thingsTHINKING ?? Board Intelligence acquires tech platform Competent Boards to provide boards with AI tools ?? Amberlo is acquired by stp.one ?? Allurity acquires Infigo ?? Epidemic Sound acquires AI startup Song Sleuth ? Interesting moves from investors ?? Volution launches $100M fund to close Britain's tech scale-up gap ?️ TEKEVER to invest £400M in UK defencetech, creating 1,000+ skilled jobs ?️ Vinted Group launches Vinted Ventures to accelerate startups in the re-commerce market ? Verb Ventures launches €25M fund for supply chain platforms ? Revo Capital secures $86M for Turkish startups across sectors ?? British Business Bank commits £7M to back five angel syndicates ?️ In other (important) news ? Harder than Y Combinator, built by unicorn founders: EWOR is the fellowship you actually want to get into ? University of Graz, Carbon Kapture, and BioDiMoBot partner to protect marine biodiversity ?? Dutch neobank Bunq expands into crypto trading ?️ Coinbase, Fabric Ventures, Animoca Brands, and Founders Factory launch UK accelerator for open AI–Web3 ? British Mission Zero Technologies opens first Direct Air Capture plant in Norfolk ? Recommended reads and listens ? The Pitch Doctor helping investors raise funds ? Inside Podimo’s playbook: local voices, global growth, and a fairer deal for creators ⚡ Rocsys launches the world’s first hands-free EV charging platform for autonomous mobility ?? Changes amidst challenges: Hungary’s tech ecosystem ? How HappyorNot went from four buttons to over 2 billion customer feedback data points ? European tech startups to watch ?? Queen's University spin-out AMPLY Discovery secures $1.75M for AI drug discovery ?? Medtech Kardi AI raises €1.1M to expand heart monitoring tech ?? Spotlight Pathology gets £425,000 EHE backing for faster cancer diagnosis ?? AVIEL Intelligence secures £350,000 pre-seed to combat UK’s surge in financial scams ?? Dream Games secures investment from CVC to accelerate global expansion

CEO Paolo Ardoino's recent charm offensive in Washington has put a spotlight on Tether amid the pro-crypto shift under President Trump.

Garanti BBVA Romania has gone live with Bucharest-based Allevo’s FinTP-Instant payments solution, establishing a direct connection to Sistemul Electronic de Transfer Național (SENT), the country’s national Automated Clearing House (ACH) for instant payments. By gaining access to SENT, owned and operated by Transfond, the bank can now offer instant payment services to its customers across retail transactions, direct debits, debit instruments, and credit transfers. FinTP-Instant is part of Allevo’s broader open source application, FinTP, which facilitates straight-through processing and message routing between financial institutions. In addition to connecting to Transfond, FinTP can also integrate internal banking systems with platforms such as Swift and the Eurosystem, while offering supplementary tools for validation, reconciliation, and compliance reporting. Garanti BBVA Romania operates as the regional subsidiary of Turkish bank Garanti BBVA.   Featured image credit: edited from freepik The post Garanti BBVA Romania Adopts Allevo’s FinTP-Instant for Real-Time Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Geoswift, a Canada-based cross-border payment services provider, has announced the integration of Visa Direct into its international payments platform. Visa Direct enables fund transfers to over 140 countries and territories. Through this integration, Geoswift will initially support payouts in 32 countries and territories across 13 currencies, covering key markets in the Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, with plans to expand further. Raymond Qu, Group CEO of Geoswift, said: Raymond Qu “At Geoswift, our vision has always been to deliver borderless payment solutions to our customers. Our partnership with Visa enhances our global reach, empowering our customers to achieve their business goals more effectively on a global scale.” Swapnil Mhasde, Head of Visa Direct Commercialisation and Solutions, Asia Pacific, commented: Swapnil Mhasde “We are confident that this partnership will open new opportunities for Geoswift in Asia Pacific. Visa Direct’s mission is to make money movement simpler, faster, more secure and cost effective through a single point of access that connects everyone, everywhere.” Geoswift has operated in the cross-border payments space for over two decades, supporting a range of use cases including business-to-business payments, education fees, eCommerce, remittances, and travel payments.   Featured image: Bryan Ma, SVP, Head of Geoswift Global Payments, and Swapnil Mhasde, Head of Visa Direct Commercialization and Solutions, Asia Pacific The post Geoswift Integrates Visa Direct to Expand Cross-Border Payout Capabilities appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Fintech has always been about innovation, speed, and accessibility. Yet, as digital financial services scale globally… Regulation and compliance have become just as important as product design and user experience. No matter how disruptive a fintech platform is, it must operate within legal frameworks that are evolving rapidly. Understanding regulation and compliance is now a critical success factor for fintech founders, investors, and operational leaders. It is no longer enough to innovate. Businesses must also demonstrate governance, risk management, and consumer protection from day one. The Rising Tide of Fintech Regulation Photo by Pok Rie on Pexels.com Initially, fintech operated in a relatively unregulated grey zone. Peer-to-peer lending platforms, payment apps, and crypto exchanges often launched with minimal oversight. However, as these services grew in importance and market size, regulators began paying closer attention. Today, fintech companies are expected to meet many of the same standards as traditional financial institutions. These include anti-money laundering (AML) rules, know your customer (KYC) checks, data privacy requirements, cybersecurity protocols, and financial reporting obligations. In regions such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore, specialised regulatory frameworks for fintech now exist. Open banking mandates, digital asset licensing regimes, and payment services regulations are examples of how governments are trying to balance innovation with stability. Compliance by Design: A Strategic Advantage Photo by Ann H on Pexels.com Rather than viewing regulation as a burden, leading fintech companies treat compliance as a strategic advantage. Building compliance frameworks early not only reduces legal risk but also builds credibility with customers, partners, and investors. Modern compliance is increasingly about embedding controls into the technology stack. Automated KYC onboarding, real-time transaction monitoring, AI-driven fraud detection, and smart reporting tools allow fintechs to stay compliant without stifling growth. RegTech companies like Alloy, ComplyAdvantage, and Trulioo are providing APIs and platforms that make it easier for fintechs to integrate compliance into their core workflows. By designing for compliance from the beginning, fintechs can enter new markets faster, negotiate better partnerships, and withstand the scrutiny that inevitably comes with success. Key Regulatory Themes Shaping Fintech Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com Several regulatory trends are particularly important for fintech leaders to understand: 1. Open Finance and Data Privacy: Open banking initiatives are expanding into open finance, requiring fintechs to securely manage and share user data. Data privacy laws such as GDPR and CCPA impose strict obligations around consent, security, and user rights. 2. Crypto and Digital Assets: Governments are rapidly building frameworks for digital asset custody, trading, and issuance. Stablecoins, NFTs, and decentralised finance (DeFi) are coming under closer supervision, especially regarding AML and investor protection. 3. Embedded Finance and Banking-as-a-Service: As non-financial companies offer banking products, regulators are examining how risk is managed, who holds ultimate responsibility, and whether consumer protections are in place. 4. ESG and Financial Sustainability: Fintechs providing investment and lending products are increasingly expected to consider environmental, social, and governance factors. Regulators are pushing for transparency in sustainability claims and ESG risk disclosures. 5. Cross-Border Supervision: Fintechs operating across multiple jurisdictions must navigate a patchwork of local regulations. Licensing, reporting, and data storage requirements vary widely, requiring expert legal and operational planning. The Role of Collaboration Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com Fintech cannot — and should not — avoid regulation. Instead, forward-looking fintechs are working with regulators through sandboxes, consultation processes, and innovation hubs. Regulatory sandboxes, pioneered in the UK and Singapore, allow startups to test products under supervised conditions. Open dialogue with regulators can help shape policies that protect consumers without stifling innovation. Collaboration between fintechs, banks, insurers, and governments is also crucial for building trust in new financial models. In the new era of digital finance, regulation and compliance are not optional extras. They are foundational requirements for sustainable growth. Fintechs that embrace regulatory excellence, invest in robust compliance systems, and engage proactively with authorities will be the ones that thrive. The post Regulation and Compliance in Fintech: Navigating the New Financial Frontier appeared first on Fintech Review.

Unlocking the Potential of Intelligent Data Solutions for a Smarter Future Highlights: IFGS 2025 aims to revolutionize the use of smart data in various industries. The event will feature discussions on the latest trends and innovations in data intelligence. Experts will share insights on how smart data can drive efficiency and decision-making. The IFGS 2025 event is set to define the future landscape of smart data utilization. With a focus on innovation, this gathering will bring together industry leaders to explore how intelligent data solutions can enhance decision-making processes across sectors. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the newest trends and advancements that will shape technology in the coming years.

Kraken has introduced Kraken Embed, a new Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) product. It is designed for neobanks, fintech companies, and traditional banks. The service allows institutions to offer cryptocurrency trading to their customers.Earlier this month, Kraken expanded beyond crypto by launching FX perpetual futures for EUR/USD and GBP/USD. Available on Kraken Pro, the new instruments allow 24/7 trading of major currency pairs for the first time on the platform. Unlike traditional FX products, these contracts do not expire and trade continuously. New Service Enables Fast Crypto Market Entry“Our Crypto-as-a-Service solution enables a wide range of financial institutions to efficiently meet growing client demand without the complexity and overhead of running their own marketplace,” said Brett McLain, Head of Payments and Blockchain at Kraken.Kraken Embed reduces the need for extensive operational and technical development. It enables institutions to provide crypto services within weeks. Kraken says the solution uses its existing liquidity, technical infrastructure, and regulatory experience.You may find it interesting at FinanceMagnates.com: Kraken's $1 Billion Debt Plan: Will It Cement Its 2026 IPO Efforts?Cool! My bank is offering crypto now straight in the app. @bunq using @krakenfx in the back. Bought 0.75 SOL and it works like a charm!Curious to see what will happen to many of the trading platforms, if crypto can just be traded in people's banking apps. pic.twitter.com/1GD3zWaQNh— Niels | Nelis.sol (@Nelis_sol) April 30, 2025First Kraken Embed Integration with bunqThe first public integration of Kraken Embed is with bunq, a European neobank. Kraken plans to announce more partnerships soon.Founded in 2011, Kraken supports trading in over 370 digital assets. It is considered one of the most liquid crypto exchanges in the market. With Kraken Embed, the company aims to help financial institutions meet growing customer demand for crypto products.The launch comes as global adoption of crypto is rising. In Europe, regulations such as MiCA are providing clearer rules for the market. According to Kraken, its infrastructure is positioned to support institutions in this environment. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Alpaca said on Wednesday it has raised a $52M Series C round to expand into more foreign markets, including the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, March 4th, 2025, FinanceWire Changelly, an instant cryptocurrency exchange platform, launches an exclusive campaign offering a US$50 welcome bonus to cover service fees for crypto swaps to all new mobile app users throughout March 2025. New users who download and install the Changelly mobile app between March 4 and March 31, 2025, will automatically receive a US$50 welcome bonus. They can apply this credit toward service fees across crypto-to-crypto swaps for 30 days after downloading the app. This allows users to take advantage of Changelly’s comprehensive cryptocurrency exchange features with a significantly reduced barrier to entry. The initiative comes at a time of increasing global adoption and follows Changelly’s recent enhancements designed to improve user experience and security. The instant cryptocurrency exchange platform recently redesigned its app and website to offer a more comprehensive interface, simplified the user experience while creating transactions, and improved navigation across over 1,000 coins available for swaps across 185 blockchain networks. How to Claim a $50 Welcome Bonus for Service Fees To get started swapping crypto with a US$50 welcome bonus, new users need to: Download the Changelly app via this link throughout March 2025 Launch the app and receive an exclusive in-app welcome bonus of US$50 valid for 30 days Proceed to the exchange tab and spend the credit on service fees swapping crypto  “This welcome bonus campaign reflects our mission to democratize access to cryptocurrency exchange and ownership,” said Zifa Mae, Head of Product at Changelly. “By eliminating initial fee concerns, we’re empowering more individuals to participate in the digital economy with confidence and get access to Web3 services on the go with the Changelly mobile app.” Users can learn more about this welcome bonus campaign and read the terms and conditions here. About Changelly Changelly is a global instant crypto exchange platform serving over 7 million users worldwide. Founded in 2015, Changelly offers safe and fast crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto exchanges of over 1,000 crypto coins across 185 blockchains with 24/7 live customer support. As a CeDeFi ecosystem, Changelly provides its 600+ partners with instant exchange and fiat on-/off-ramp APIs, a platform for listings, and a DEX aggregator for decentralized swaps. Changelly is available on the desktop (website), iOS (App Store), and Android (Google Play). Contact Head of Marketing & PRAshley VancouverChangellypr@changelly.com The post Changelly Offers $50 Welcome Bonuses to New Mobile App Users Throughout March appeared first on Fintech Review.