Around the world, financial services and insurance firms are deploying generative artificial intelligence (genAI) across a wide range of functions, products, and services, seeking increased efficiencies and improved customer experience. A new analysis by market intelligence CB Insights identified 100 real-world applications of genAI across 69 companies in banking, financial services, insurance, and payments, categorizing these applications into three main areas: core AI infrastructure, customer experience and engagement, and risk management and specialized operations. The analysis uncovered several trends in how financial institutions are adopting genAI, including the rise of cross-functional AI platforms, the prevalence of customer engagement and self-service applications, and the dominance of OpenAI and Microsoft in the genAI space. Categorization of 100 disclosed real-world genAI applications, Source: CB Insights, Jul 2025 Cross-functional genAI platforms According to the study, many financial services firms are prioritizing general-purpose genAI platforms. 24% of the 100 use cases identified focus on cross-functional genAI platforms, providing foundational genAI capabilities to employees across departments, and reflecting an emphasis on establishing the infrastructure for comprehensive AI adoption. A notable example is Klarna, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) company. Klarna has made ChatGPT Enterprise available to all its employees around the globe, with 90% of its workforce now using AI in their daily work. Adoption is widespread across departments, with communications, marketing, and legal teams seeing rates of 93%, 88%, and 86%, respectively, and a wide range of use cases being deployed, from building software to streamlining customer service. In February 2024, Klarna also separately launched an AI-powered assistant powered by OpenAI. The tool is designed to enhance the shopping and payments experience for Klarna’s 150 million consumers worldwide, and is capable of managing a range of tasks from multilingual customer service to managing refunds and returns, and promoting healthy financial habits. Within a few months, the assistant handled 2.3 million conversations, two-thirds of Klarna’s customer service chats, and cut average resolution times from 11 minutes to just 2. The initiative is projected to deliver US$40 million in profit improvement in 2024, all while maintaining satisfaction scores on par with human support. Other institutions that have implemented cross-functional genAI platforms include BNP Paribas, which has partnered with Mistral AI since September 2023 to deploy large language models for banking applications across customer service, sales, and IT; JP Morgan, which leverages AWS to support over 1,000 applications and 200,000 employees; and BBVA, which partnered with OpenAI in November 2024 to deploy 3,000 ChatGPT Enterprise licenses among its employees in Spain, with plans to extend this to other countries. Customer-facing genAI applications rise to prominence Customer-facing genAI applications, especially those focused on engagement and self-service, are also gaining traction. These genAI applications, which are used by customers to interact with a company, account for 16% of the 100 identified genAI applications in finance and insurance. Institutions including ING, Wells Fargo, and Truist demonstrate the potential of these solutions to handle millions of customer interactions. ING launched in September 2023 a genAI chatbot developed with McKinsey. The solution is designed to improve customer experience, and has helped 20% more customers avoid long wait times. ING aims to support 37 million customers across 40 countries with its genAI chatbot. Truist Financial, an American financial services company, introduced in 2022 Truist Assist, a virtual assistant that’s capable of answering more than 160 common client inquiries, such as locking and unlocking credit cards. Truist Assist supported over 1 million client conversations in Q1 2025, with over 80% resolved without human intervention, reflecting improved efficiencies. Wells Fargo launched in 2022, Fargo, a virtual assistant that helps customers with everyday banking needs via voice or text, handling requests such as help paying bills, transferring funds, providing transaction details, and answering questions about account activity. The tool, which uses Google’s conversational AI Dialogflow, handled 245.4 million interactions in 2024, more than doubling its original projections, Venture Beat reported. CB Insights expects the adoption of customer-facing genAI applications to accelerate as companies like Mastercard, Visa and PayPal deploy applications centered on so-called “agentic commerce,” where AI agents autonomously execute transactions on behalf of consumers. In April 2025, Mastercard announced the launch of its agentic payments program, Mastercard Agent Pay. The solution integrates AI-driven agentic commerce with secure payment technology, allowing AI agents to act on behalf of consumers or businesses, and make purchases, manage subscriptions, and handle transactions. Visa and PayPal are also experimenting with agentic AI solutions, with Visa testing automated consumer query responses, DigFin reported in June, while PayPal has just announced that it would process payments for automated shopping developed by the conversational search and discovery engine Perplexity, enabling users to buy products or services directly in Perplexity’s chat interface. OpenAI, Microsoft lead genAI landscape The analysis also revealed that OpenAI and Microsoft lead the genAI space, participating in 33% of the 100 genAI applications studied. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, claims nearly 700 million weekly active users for its AI-powered chatbot, up from 500 million in March, marking a more than fourfold year-over-year (YoY) surge in growth. The figure spans all ChatGPT AI products, free, Plus Pro, Enterprise, Team, and Edu, and comes as daily user prompts reaches 2.5 billion. OpenAI is the world’s second most valuable tech startup at US$300 billion, neck and neck with ByteDance, the owner of TikTok. The company is reportedly preparing to sell around US$6 billion in stock as part of a secondary sale that would value it at roughly US$500 billion, Bloomberg reported last week. Microsoft is a major investor in OpenAI, having invested more than US$13 billion in the startup.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by sitthiphong via Freepik The post CB Insights’ Key Trends in Financial Institutions’ Adoption of GenAI appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Crypto assets have continued to gain importance over the past twelve months. Alongside notable price movements, the ecosystem in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein has expanded with a growing number of providers. The market is also attracting increased attention from institutional investors, according to a new study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU). By mid-2025, the total value of all crypto assets worldwide was around US$3.5 trillion. In Switzerland and Liechtenstein, assets under management in indirect investment products such as funds or exchange-traded products rose to around CHF 15 billion by June 2025, representing an increase of about two-thirds within twelve months. The growth reflects not only rising prices but also broader acceptance of crypto assets as a separate asset class, according to Prof. Dr Thomas Ankenbrand, lead researcher of the study. The number of companies offering crypto-asset services in Switzerland and Liechtenstein grew from 359 to 407 over the same period, with more than 60 per cent based in the cantons of Zug and Zurich. Institutional investors such as banks, family offices, and industrial companies appear to be increasingly active in the market. Indicators such as larger trading volumes on weekdays and longer holding periods suggest growing institutional engagement, which could provide stability and credibility to the market. The study also examined historical performance of investment portfolios. Portfolios combining traditional assets, gold, and Bitcoin achieved the best risk-adjusted performance. The results indicate that Bitcoin has functioned more as a complement to gold rather than a substitute. However, the study notes that many portfolio optimisation approaches rely on historical data, highlighting the need for further analysis. Tokenised assets are attracting interest from the financial sector. In Switzerland, tokenised bonds and equities are already being issued and traded via regulated platforms. CHF-based stablecoins have not yet gained traction, but tokenised balance sheet items such as treasury bonds could offer new applications.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Jakub Żerdzicki via Unsplash The post Crypto Assets Reach $3.5 Trillion, Gain Momentum in Switzerland and Liechtenstein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Venture capital (VC) funding in Switzerland is rebounding this year, driven by large deals in biotech, information and communications technology (ICT), and fintech, new data released by Startupticker.ch reveal. In the first half of 2025, Swiss startups secured nearly CHF 1.5 billion (US$1.9 billion), a 36% increase compared to H1 2024, and the third highest figure on record. At the same time, the number of financing rounds fell 10.1% YoY from 138 in H1 2024 to 124 in H1 2025. These data suggest that funding is becoming more concentrated in fewer, larger deals, indicating that investors are prioritizing startup with greater impact and growth potential. Investments in Swiss startups in first half of the year, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch, Jul 2025 Biotech, ICT and fintech led much of that growth, recording year-over-year (YoY) VC funding increases of 74%, 86% and 93%, respectively. Amount by sector (CHF m), Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch, Jul 2025 Biotech sets new records Biotech startups were particularly prevalent, especially those with innovative approaches to drug development and which are already in human trials. The sector raised a new record of CHF 705 million but saw the number of deals decline by 15% YoY, reflecting a shift toward larger rounds. Among the standout financings were Windward Bio’s CHF 183.1 million (US$227 million), the largest deal in Switzerland in H1 2025, GlycoEra’s CHF 107.5 million (US$133 million) round, and RhyGaze’s CHF 78.5 million (US$97 million) round. ICT and fintech recovers The ICT and fintech sectors also made a good recovery, securing about CHF 250 million, and CHF 90 million, respectively. Fintech was further boosted by the emergence of a new unicorn, Sygnum Bank, after it secured CHF 52.9 million (US$58 million) in January to expand its market presence in the Europe and Hong Kong, enhance institutional infrastructure, and develop Bitcoin-focused products. Sygnum Bank is a global digital asset banking group, providing services including custody, trading, staking, lending, and tokenization. The company serves over 2,000 institutional clients across 70 countries, operating through regulated entities in Switzerland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. In 2024, the company reported strong growth, with trading revenues surpassing the previous year’s total by Q3 and annual trade volumes increasing over 1,000%. This was driven in part by collaborations with PostFinance and more than 20 banks using its business-to-business (B2B) platform. It also launched Sygnum Connect, a 24/7 multi-asset settlement network, and Sygnum Protect, a secure custody platform for institutional clients. Swiss fintech funding mirrors global trends Switzerland’s fintech rebound mirrors global trends. In H1 2025, global fintech investment reached US$24 billion, marking a 6% increase from US$22.4 billion in H2 2024. Europe made up 18% of that amount, totaling US$4.4 billion, with the UK, France, and Germany maintaining their positions as regional fintech leaders. The UK remained at the forefront, raising US$1.5 billion across 240 deals and accounting for 34% of European fintech funding volume, and 36.8% of deal count. France raised US$694 million through 65 deals, and Germany raised US$669 million from 58 deals. Together, these three countries accounted for 65.9% of fintech funding in Europe (US$2.9 billion) and 55.6% of deals in the region in H1 2025 (363 deals). Increased dependence on foreign investment Another key trend highlighted in the Startupticker.ch report is Switzerland’s increased dependence on foreign investments, particularly the US. In H1 2025, US investors contributed more than CHF 520 million (US$644 million), representing over a third of the total amount, and participated in about a quarter of all financing rounds. Both figures represent new records. US investors were particularly active in biotech, where at least one US VC was involved in nine of the 17 rounds of H1 2025. It’s estimated that about half of the capital invested in Switzerland’s biotech sector in H1 2025 came from the US. At this pace, 2025 is well on track to set a new record for US participation in Swiss VC. US investment in Swiss startups, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch, Jul 2025 Investors show optimism with cautious Investor sentiment, however, shows a mix of optimism and cautious. A survey conducted by Startupticker.ch for the Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update revealed that two-thirds of the 95 Swiss VC investors polled rated the the environment as “good” and 11% even as “very good”. Investors are also positive about the number of new investment opportunities in Switzerland, with 69% of respondents rating the number as “good”, up from 59% last year. Only 10% rated it as “not pleasing”, down 10 points from 2024. VC are also optimistic about the next 12 months, with 88% of respondents expecting more investment opportunities, up 2 points from last year. For new investments, 72% anticipate an increase. Assessment of number of new investments, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch, Jul 2025 Fundraising conditions, however, are viewed more cautiously. 49% of respondents expect a decline in fundraising over the next 12 months compared with 27% in the previous year. This suggests that investors are optimistic about investment opportunities, but remain cautious on the challenges posed by current market conditions. Expected fundraising environment development over 12 months, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 | Update, Startupticker.ch, Jul 2025   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by sodawhiskey via Freepik The post Swiss VC Funding Surges, Driven by Biotech, ICT and Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Robinhood announced the launch of Digests by Robinhood Cortex for all customers in the UK. The feature uses AI to provide summaries of stock movements, combining breaking news, analyst reports, technical data and Robinhood’s proprietary insights. Digests is the first feature powered by Robinhood Cortex, the company’s AI-driven investing assistant. It reviews multiple sources to explain, in plain English, why a particular stock may be moving. The tool is available directly on the stock detail page and will be free to all UK customers at launch. Jordan Sinclair “Digests by Robinhood Cortex is our first AI insight tool, built directly into our app,” said Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK. “We believe our UK customers, from first-time investors to seasoned traders, will appreciate the timely, accessible summaries that highlight what may be moving a stock. We will keep introducing AI tools that prioritise customer education and help our investors navigate the market with confidence.” Digests was initially introduced in the US earlier this year, following its announcement at Robinhood’s Lost City of Gold event in San Francisco. It has been used by hundreds of thousands of US customers, with 95% reporting that the tool provides relevant, up-to-date information that is easy to access. Suitable for all experience levels, Digests aims to offer a clear layer of information, helping investors understand market movements, form a thesis or validate signals before entering trades. At launch, the feature covers many of the most commonly traded stocks on Robinhood.   Featured image credit: Robinhood The post Robinhood Launches AI-powered Digests for UK investors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

TerraPay, a London-based money movement company, has formed a partnership with Levant-based fintech Whish Money to improve digital payments and cross-border money transfers for Whish users. The collaboration aims to support both companies’ efforts to promote financial inclusion and innovation across multiple markets. Through the partnership, Whish Money will leverage TerraPay’s extensive global network to facilitate the sending and receiving of cross-border payments, providing users with a remittance service that is faster and more secure than traditional channels. TerraPay’s network connects to 3.7 billion mobile wallets and 7.5 billion bank accounts worldwide. This infrastructure enables Whish Money’s user base of over 1.3 million to send funds instantly to wallets and bank accounts in more than 150 countries, offering an alternative to conventional remittance methods. Toufic Koussa “At Whish Money, we’re excited to redefine the remittance experience for our users,” said Toufic Koussa, Co-Founder and CEO at Whish Money. “This partnership with TerraPay allows us to expand our global reach and offer our customers the speed, reliability, and security they deserve when sending money across borders.” Ani Sane “At TerraPay, we’re committed to creating a world where financial access is universal,” added Ani Sane, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at TerraPay. “Our partnership with Whish Money is a significant step toward that vision, enabling millions to send and receive money effortlessly, securely, and inclusively, no matter where they are.” By combining TerraPay’s global payments infrastructure with Whish Money’s regional knowledge and reach, the partnership seeks to make digital money movement more accessible and effective for users internationally.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by assumption111 via Freepik The post TerraPay Partners with Whish Money to Expand Cross-Border Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Bitpanda has officially launched in the UK, offering British investors access to more than 600 digital assets, the most comprehensive selection on the UK market. Bitpanda has over 7 million users across Europe and holds multiple regulatory licenses outside the UK. Its offering includes a wide range of digital assets, from well-known cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum to emerging tokens and stablecoins. Users also have access to selected crypto indices, market analysis, and educational content, with the aim of supporting long-term and informed investing. Bitpanda provides a secure and intuitive platform for accessing crypto assets, suitable for both beginners and experienced investors. Eric Demuth, Co-founder and CEO of Bitpanda, said: Eric Demuth “The UK is a global financial hub and home to investors who are financially knowledgeable and tech-savvy. Demand for crypto assets is growing rapidly, and we are here to serve it. We believe the UK will become one of our largest markets over the next two years, and our goal is simple: to offer the best, safest, and most comprehensive way to invest in crypto assets in the UK. Today’s launch is just the beginning.” In addition to its trading platform, Bitpanda is bringing its B2B infrastructure arm, Bitpanda Technology Solutions (BTS), to the UK. BTS enables banks, fintechs, and other financial platforms to develop and offer digital investment products through a white-label solution. BTS already works with major institutional partners such as Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, Raiffeisen, and LBBW and forms a key part of Bitpanda’s strategy to expand access to crypto assets and their adoption worldwide. To support its ambitions in the UK and continue developing a market-tailored product and offering, Bitpanda has announced the appointment of Pantelis Kotopoulos as UK Country Director, supported by a local team. As part of today’s market launch, Bitpanda has entered a multi-year global partnership with FC Arsenal, becoming the club’s official crypto trading partner. The collaboration aims to increase awareness and understanding of digital assets among fans and investors, providing them with information and tools to engage with their finances safely and responsibly. The partnership also represents a further step in Bitpanda’s international involvement in sports.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik The post Bitpanda Launches in the UK with Access to 600+ Digital Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Swiss shoppers can now pay for groceries using stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies following a partnership between SPAR, Binance Pay, and Swiss fintech firm DFX.swiss. Through the collaboration with Binance Pay, a crypto payment service from Binance, and DFX.swiss, customers are able to make payments with cryptocurrency at more than 100 SPAR stores across Switzerland. The rollout marks the first nationwide introduction of a crypto payment system in the country’s grocery sector and is expected to expand to over 300 locations in the coming months. The system supports more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including euro- and US dollar-backed stablecoins, with no gas fees when using the Binance Pay app. Payments are processed instantly and settled in Swiss francs or other currencies via the DFX.swiss integration. André Scherrer, Managing Director of SPAR Switzerland, said: André Scherrer “Smart wallet payment solutions such as those offered by DFX in combination with Binance Pay will be the future: customers are increasingly asking for them, and merchants save around two-thirds of commission fees compared to card payments.” Switzerland, recognised as a hub for the crypto industry, is extending crypto adoption into everyday consumer retail. Jonas Juenger, Regional Director for Binance, commented: Jonas Juenger “As crypto payment adoption continues to grow, we’re proud to see our technology support such a trusted and widespread retail brand like SPAR. This collaboration shows how crypto is becoming part of everyday life, including grocery shopping in supermarkets, and highlights the powerful synergy between traditional retail and digital payment solutions.” At checkout, customers can pay by scanning DFX.swiss’s “OpenCryptoQR” code with the Binance Pay app. The payment is completed in the chosen cryptocurrency and converted to Swiss francs or other fiat currencies through DFX.swiss, ensuring the retailer receives the full amount in fiat.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by sodawhiskey via Freepik The post SPAR Switzerland Launches Crypto Payments with Binance Pay and DFX.swiss appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Vestbee, a platform connecting startups, VCs, accelerators and corporates, has released its report on venture capital funding in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for Q2 2025, showing a resilient but uneven quarter for the region. Deal activity remained relatively stable across 144 transactions, but 30% of capital was concentrated in the three largest deals, leaving many early- and mid-stage startups to compete for a smaller pool of investment. In Q2 2025, VC investment in CEE exceeded US$640 million across 144 publicly reported funding rounds. This represents a 19% increase in deal count compared with Q1 2025, which had 121 transactions, although total funding fell by 8.6% from US$700 million in the previous quarter. The largest transactions included Cast AI’s US$93 million Series C, Aerones’ US$53 million round and Pactum’s US$47 million Series C. The gap between the largest and average deal sizes narrowed from Q1, when ElevenLabs’ US$170 million round was sixteen times the quarterly average. Outside these headline deals, monthly deal counts remained between 35 and 42, with most funding rounds relatively modest. Investors continued to be cautious and selective, even as the region produced companies in AI, deeptech and healthtech. The trend of companies relocating to more mature ecosystems also continued in the second quarter of 2025. Poland, Estonia and Ukraine led by deal count, with 48, 20 and 17 transactions respectively, accounting for over half of all disclosed rounds and nearly one-third of total capital raised in Q2. Source: Vestbee Investor interest focused on AI, deeptech, fintech, SaaS, cybersecurity and energy. Active VC funds in the region included SMOK VC, FIRSTPICK, Inovo VC, Hard2Beat, LAUNCHub Ventures and Startup Wise Guys. New funds launched in the quarter included a vehicle from Vilnius-based Vinted, Prague’s Rockaway Ventures raising US$55 million, Polish Movens Capital first closing at US$40 million from a planned US$60 million, and Lithuanian Iron Wolf Capital first closing at US$30 million with a target of US$100 million. Globally, Q2 2025 VC funding reached US$91 billion, up from US$82 billion year-on-year but down from US$114 billion in Q1. AI led funding with US$40 billion, or 45% of global VC, including Meta’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Scale AI for US$14.3 billion. Healthcare/biotech attracted US$14.8 billion and financial services US$10.8 billion. In Europe, venture activity totalled US$12.6 billion, down 24% from Q2 2024. Germany overtook the UK in funding for the first time since 2012, driven by large deeptech rounds including US$694 million for Helsing and US$218 million for Multiverse Computing. Europe’s share of global VC capital in H1 2025 fell to 13% from 19% the previous year.   Featured image credit: Vestbee The post CEE Venture Funding Hits $640M in Q2 2025 Despite Few Big Deals appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Bluechain, a business-to-business payment orchestration platform, has announced a partnership with Visa to improve how UK companies manage B2B payments. The collaboration aims to provide real time visibility, end to end control and greater payment flexibility through Bluechain’s network. The partnership introduces an infrastructure layer that allows businesses to pay any supplier using Visa cards, even if the supplier does not accept cards. Bluechain will manage billing, collection, reconciliation and merchant of record requirements. The intention is to create a more efficient B2B payment process that works within existing business tools. Tim Annis, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bluechain, said: Tim Annis “We are building the infrastructure layer that business payments have been missing. Visa shares our vision, not just digitising payments, but making them frictionless, visible and intelligent. Together, we are enabling businesses to take control of their working capital and reduce financial administration at scale.” UK businesses process more than £2.8 trillion in B2B transactions each year, with many still relying on manual or fragmented systems. Bluechain and Visa aim to support digital adoption in sectors such as construction, freight, hospitality and wholesale distribution, where card acceptance has traditionally been limited. Alessandro Figueroa, Head of B2B Partnerships at Visa Europe, said: Alessandro Figueroa “Businesses need smarter ways to manage payments, and data to make better decisions. Partnering with Bluechain brings those capabilities directly into workflows, helping businesses unlock new flexibility, visibility and efficiency.” According to both companies, the partnership is intended to modernise how businesses pay, receive payments and manage growth, aligning B2B transactions more closely with the speed and connectivity of consumer payments.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by gesrey via Freepik The post Bluechain Partners with Visa to Improve UK B2B Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

ClearBank, a provider of real-time clearing and embedded banking, has announced its first channel partnership with London-based ethical fintech Algbra. Under the agreement, ClearBank will supply its technology and services as part of Algbra Labs’ Fintech-as-a-Service offering. The arrangement will enable Algbra to integrate ClearBank’s agency banking, Faster Payments, and virtual account services into its platform, allowing customers to access these functions without building their own back-end systems. The solution will form part of Algbra’s existing offer, providing end-to-end service capabilities. ClearBank and Algbra have developed a tailored solution that connects with Algbra’s API platform and uses the UK’s payments infrastructure and open banking framework. The service will be available to financial and non-financial institutions, as well as corporate clients, through Algbra, using ClearBank’s cloud-based systems to access faster payments and accounts. This partnership is the first to be launched under ClearBank’s channel partner model, introduced in early 2025, which focuses on working with non-competing partners offering complementary services. The two companies plan to continue developing joint services and ClearBank will support Algbra with sales and marketing for products on its platform. Nick Ford, Head of Channels & Alliances at ClearBank, said: Nick Ford “Our first channel partnership is an exciting step in the expansion of our services, providing extra ways for us to unlock our clients’ potential. From start to finish, we have found our values have closely aligned with Algbra’s, with our shared technology-first approach and desire to bring world-class financial services to all.” Tom Mason, Chief Business Officer at Algbra Group, said: Tom Mason “We consider ClearBank an extension of our team. Our channel partnership means that we are equipped to offer our B2B and B2C clients best-in-class banking services including fully regulated business and customer accounts, and safe, secure real-time payments giving them a competitive edge in the UK’s £213.6 billion revenue-generating fintech ecosystem.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by vwalakte via Freepik The post ClearBank Launches First Channel Partnership with Algbra appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Cryptocurrency crime is surging in 2025, with total crypto losses for the first half of the year already exceeding the 2023 total and on track to set a new record, according to a new report by American blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. This surge is being driven by thefts from cryptocurrency services, and personal wallet compromises. Total crypto losses reached approximately US$2.8 billion in H1 2025, 12% higher than the 2023 total of about US$2.5 billion and equivalent to roughly 88% of 2023’s US$3.3 billion. At the current pace, losses could surpass US$4 billion by year-end, exceeding the previous record set in 2022. Total crypto losses, Source: Chainalysis, Jul 2025 Crypto services as prime targets This year, cryptocurrency services continue to bear the brunt of thefts, with over US$2.17 billion stolen in H1 2025. The figure is 17% higher than in 2022, previously the worst year on record. If current trends continue, thefts from services could exceed US$4.3 billion this year, Chainalysis predicts. The US$1.5 billion hack of ByBit in February 2025 accounted for the majority of service losses in H1 2025 and marked the largest crypto theft in history. Hackers linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group allegedly breached one of ByBit’s suppliers and altered a digital wallet address used for transferring 401,000 ethers. Previously, the Lazarus Group hackers targeted banks, but have, in the last five years, specialized in attacking cryptocurrency companies, an industry that’s less protected with fewer mechanisms in place to prevent money laundering. Notable past incidents include the 2019 hack of US$42 million from South Korean crypto exchange Upbit; the 2020 theft of US$275 million from crypto exchange KuCoin; the 2022 Ronin Network attack which netted more than US$600 million in crypto; and the 2023 theft of over US$100 million from the Atomic Wallet service. In 2024, North Korea-related crimes accounted for at least US$1.3 billion in losses, according to Chainalysis, underscoring the growing sophistication of state-sponsored actors in the crypto space. Personal wallet compromises on the rise Personal wallet compromises are also becoming more significant, with attackers increasingly targeting individual users. In H1 2025, such incidents accounted for 23.35% of all stolen fund activity year-to-date (YTD) in 2025, a decline from roughly 44% in 2024, but more than double their 10% share in 2022. This trend reflects improved security practices at major service providers, pushing attackers towards less-protected individuals, as well as the growing accessibility of sophisticated targeting individual-targeting techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI). Rising crypto prices have also increased the value of crypto held in personal wallets, making them more attractive targets. Data show that bitcoin theft continued to represent a significant portion of stolen value in H1 2025. However, stablecoins are gaining in prominence, overtaking ether as the second most stolen crypto during the period. Total personal wallet stolen fund volumes by year and asset, Source: Chainalysis, Jul 2025 Data also reveal that the average loss resulting from compromised personal wallets storing bitcoin is increasing over time. This suggests that attackers are deliberately targeting higher-value individual holdings. Attacks are also increasing on altcoin wallets, particularly on non-bitcoin and non-Ethereum virtual machine (non-EVM) chains like Solana. Average severity of personal wallet stolen fund events by year and asset, Source: Chainalysis, Jul 2025 The rise of “wrench attacks” One disturbing development this year is the rise of so-called “wrench attacks”. In these attacks, criminals use physical violence or coercion against individuals to access their crypto holdings. In 2025, wrench attacks are on pace to double the highest previous annual total, a surge which correlates with bitcoin’s price outlook and which suggests that perceived future gains may encourage more such crimes. Violent crypto-related attacks and BTC price, Source: Chainalysis, Jul 2025 Several high-profile cases have made headlines in the past year. On January 21, 2025, David Balland, a co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped from their home in central France. Ledger is one of France’s most successful tech startups, valued at US$1.47 billion, according to CB Insights. The kidnappers demanded a crypto ransom, part of which was paid. Balland and his wife were rescued in a police operation, and at least nine suspects have since been detained. In May, the father of a crypto-millionaire was abducted, with kidnappers demanding a ransom of between EUR 5 million (US$5.7 million) and EUR 7 million (US$7.9 million), France24 reported. A source close to the investigation said that one of the father’s fingers had been chopped off. Police arrested seven suspects. That same month, the daughter and grandson of a French cryptocurrency entrepreneur narrowly escaped a kidnap attempt by armed men in Paris. According to video footage, three masked men jumped out of a van and tried to force the woman and her child into the vehicle. The attackers fled in the vehicle, which was found close by. The woman is the daughter of the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a French crypto exchange platform. Crypto laundering patterns The Chainalysis report also examines laundering behavior, noting significant differences between personal wallet compromises and service attacks. In 2024 and 2025, threat actors targeting services mainly used cross-chain bridges as a means of laundering funds by chain hopping. Cross-chain bridges allow different blockchains to securely share data, allowing users to transfer funds between blockchains that would otherwise be unable to communicate. Mixers are also more predominantly used by thieves targeting services. A crypto mixer is a service that collects, pools and pseudo-randomly shuffles the cryptocurrencies deposited by many users to obfuscate the origins and owners of the funds. By contrast, funds stolen from personal wallets tend to interact more with token smart contracts, suggesting a swap. These funds would also flow into sanctioned entities like Garantex, suggesting a Russian perpetrator intersection, or they would move to centralized exchanges, implying less sophisticated laundering techniques. Stolen fund laundering behavior by victim type and fund destination, Source: Chainalysis, Jul 2025   Featured image by andranik.h90 on Freepik The post Crypto Crime Surges in 2025, Set to Break Records appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Miles credit cards are payment cards that let cardholders earn airline miles or travel points whenever they make a transaction. These miles are tied to a frequent flyer program and can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks. These credit cards are particularly attractive to frequent flyers as they turn existing spending on flights, hotels, or even everyday purchases, into rewards. Over time, this can translate into significant savings in the form of free or discounted flights, or travel insurance, as well as perks like seat upgrades, priority boarding, and airport lounge access. In Switzerland, travelers have several strong options, with the most competitive offerings coming from Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), and card issuers Cornèrcard, Viseca, and American Express. These provide generous mile rewards, flexible redemption opportunities, comprehensive insurance coverage, and premium travel benefits. SWISS Miles & More Platinum Credit Card Duo SWISS Miles & More Platinum Credit Card Duo, Source: SWISS The SWISS Miles & More Platinum Credit Card Duo, comprising the SWISS Miles & More American Express Platinum card and the SWISS Miles & More World Mastercard Platinum card, is recognized by Moneyland.ch as among the best airline miles credit card offers available to Swiss residents. It allows cardholders to earn up to 2.4 miles for every CHF 2 spent with the American Express Platinum, and up to one mile for purchases made with the Visa Platinum or Mastercard Platinum. Cardholders can exchange up to 25,000 of their award miles for valuable Points and Qualifying Points once per calendar year. They’ll receive 20 Points/20 Qualifying Points in return for 5,000 award miles. The cards offer a number of benefits, including a welcome bonus of 10,000 award miles, no expired miles, first class check-in on any SWISS flight with a SWISS flight number and aircraft, a SIXT Platinum membership with upgrades, discounts of up to 15% on car rentals and 20% on limousine services, a four-hour mobility guarantee in case of breakdown, and additional rewards with SIXT+ and SIXT ride. The cards also offer extensive insurance coverage, including transport accident protection up to CHF 1 million, foreign travel medical cover up to CHF 10,000, search and rescue costs up to CHF 60,000, trip cancellation and curtailment up to CHF 15,000, rental car loss or damage waiver up to CHF 80,000, travel inconvenience cover for delays and lost baggage, and purchase protection up to CHF 2,000. Additional features include American Express Selects and Mastercard Priceless Cities offers, support for Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, installment payment options, 3-D Secure protection, global cash withdrawal, 24/7 customer service, and card replacement within 48 hours. The annual fee is CHF 700, the maximum spending limit is CHF 80,000 per month. SWISS Miles & More Gold Credit Card Duo SWISS Miles & More Gold Credit Card Duo, Source: SWISS The SWISS Miles & More Gold Credit Card Duo is another compelling option for Swiss residents, offering many of the same features as the Platinum tier but at a lower annual fee. It awards up to 2 award miles for every CHF 2 spent on the American Express Gold, and 0.8 miles for purchases made with the Visa Gold or World Mastercard Gold, in addition to a welcome bonus is 5,000 miles. Like the Platinum tier, miles never expire as long as the card is used for at least one eligible purchase per month after the first month, and the miles-to-points exchange program is the same in terms of rate and frequency. Travel insurance includes transport accident cover up to CHF 700,000, search and rescue up to CHF 60,000, travel inconvenience coverage for delays or baggage issues, and shopping insurance up to CHF 750. The cards also include SIXT Gold membership, discounts, and perks, installment payment options, 3-D Secure protection, contactless payments, global cash withdrawals, 24/7 customer service, and card replacement within 48 hours. The annual fee is CHF 220, with a maximum monthly spending limit of CHF 30,000 Cornèrcard Miles & More Gold Combo Offer Cornèrcard Miles & More Gold Combo Offer, Source: Cornèrcard The Cornèrcard Miles & More Gold Combo Offer is another attractive option for Swiss travelers. The combo combines a Cornèrcard Gold and a free Diners Club card, and offers up to one award mile per CHF 1 spent with the Diners Club card and one mile per CHF 2 spent with the Cornèrcard Gold. Additional annual spend bonuses are awarded at thresholds of CHF 10,000 (1,000 miles), CHF 20,000 (3,000 miles), and CHF 30,000 (5,000 miles). The welcome bonus is 10,000 miles, and miles never expire if the card is used at least once per month for an eligible purchase after three months of membership. Benefits include comprehensive travel, purchase, and legal protection insurance, access to over 1,500 airport lounges via Priority Pass at CHF 30 per visit (with five free visits after CHF 7,500 annual spend), and Hertz rental discounts of up to 15% in Switzerland and 10% abroad. Features include installment payment options, discounts and raffles, and 3-D Secure. Additional services, such as extended warranty and payment protection, can be activated through the iCornèr app. The annual fee for the Cornèrcard Miles & More Gold Combo is CHF 220, with a maximum spending limit of CHF 90,000 per month. Cornèrcard Miles & More Classic Combo Offer Cornèrcard Miles & More Classic Combo Offer, Source: Cornèrcard Cornèrcard Miles & More Classic Combo Offer is the lower tier version of the Cornèrcard Miles & More Gold Combo Offer, comprising a Cornèrcard Classic and a free Diners Club card. The Diners Club card earns one mile per CHF 1 spent, while the Cornèrcard Classic card earns one mile per CHF 2 spent. Annual spend bonuses are smaller than the Gold version, with 750 miles awarded for CHF 10,000 spent, 1,500 miles for CHF 20,000, and 2,500 miles for CHF 30,000. The welcome bonus is also smaller at 5,000 miles. Like the Gold version, miles never expire with monthly card use after three months, and the card shares many of the same travel, purchase, and legal protections as the Gold tier and includes installment payment options. The annual fee is CHF 140, with a maximum monthly spending limit of CHF 10,000. American Express Platinum Card American Express Platinum Card, Source: American Express In addition to partnerships with airlines such as SWISS, American Express also offers a standalone Platinum Card designed for frequent flyers in Switzerland. The metal American Express Platinum Card offers Membership Rewards points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for products, services, or converted to airline miles with popular programs. These programs include SWISS Miles & More, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, Etihad Guest, and SkyTeam partners. Furthermore, the International Airline Program offers up to 20% discounts on flights with premium airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, and Lufthansa Group carriers, in addition to preferential terms and conditions on Economy, Business and First Class bookings. New cardholders receive 45,000 Membership Rewards points, a CHF 100 SWISS voucher, CHF 200 annual SIXT ride credit, up to CHF 160 dining credit at Gault et Millau restaurants, free access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive insurance coverage, and access to the Travel & Lifestyle Service. The minimum annual income requirement for the American Express Platinum Card is CHF 120,000. The plan costs CHF 450 for the first year and CHF 900 thereafter. Flying Blue World Mastercard Flying Blue World Mastercard, Source: Viseca The Flying Blue World Mastercard, issued by Swiss payment card company Viseca, allows cardholders to earn up to 1.5 Flying Blue Miles (KLM, Air France, Kenya Airways) for every CHF 2 spent, with miles remaining valid as long as the card is used at least once a month. Annual spend bonuses are awarded at CHF 30,000 (4,000 miles), CHF 60,000 (7,000 miles), and CHF 90,000 (9,000 miles) thresholds. In addition, loyalty bonuses of 2,000 miles are given each year upon card renewal. The card includes comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical emergencies, transport accidents, search and rescue, luggage issues, and rental car excess waivers. Trip cancellation and interruption are covered up to CHF 20,000 per event, medical travel assistance up to CHF 250,000 per medical event, return or repatriation costs up to CHF 250,000, luggage insurance up to CHF 5,000 per event, and rental car damage waiver up to CHF 10,000 per event. Shopping protections include extended warranty, purchase protection, price protection, and ticket insurance. Additional features include cyber services, 24-hour assistance, global acceptance, contactless payments, installment payment options, and discounts with Hertz.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on images by user10860774 and kwangmoop via Freepik The post Top 6 Miles Credit Card Products for Swiss Residents appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Riva Money, a London-based blockchain payments firm, has secured US$3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Project A, with participation from individual investors from Monzo, JP Morgan, and Revolut. The company was founded by former Revolut and Wise executives Niklas Hoejman and Mahendra Katoch, who have also worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Drawing on their experiences with global payment services, they aim to reduce the time and cost of cross-border transactions. According to Riva, current transfers can take up to five days and often pass through multiple banks. The firm seeks to improve processing times and offer more competitive exchange rates than incumbent providers. Riva uses blockchain technology and stablecoins to facilitate transfers, routing payments through the most efficient channels available. As part of its regulatory expansion, the company is seeking authorisation as a payment institution in the UK and EU, as well as MiCA and VASP licences in the EU and Switzerland. Niklas Hoejman “Our goal is limitless global money movement, instantly and at a fraction of the cost,” said CEO Hoejman. “By combining blockchain technology with a robust regulatory framework, we’re building a solution that offers businesses the speed, transparency and cost-efficiency they need to thrive in today’s interconnected economy.”     Featured image credit: Riva Money The post Riva Money Raises $3M Pre-Seed to Streamline Cross-Border Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

A panel of investors and industry specialists has selected ten Swiss fintech startups to join the Swiss National Startup Team. These companies will take part in the Venture Leaders Fintech programme, which includes a roadshow in London this November aimed at expanding their professional networks and industry knowledge. The initiative is organised by Venturelab and Swissnex, with support from EPFL, ETH Zürich, PostFinance, and Walder Wyss. Since 2006, Venturelab has been selecting the Swiss National Startup Team. Its Venture Leaders roadshows have taken entrepreneurs to leading global technology hubs, including Silicon Valley, Boston, Asia, Barcelona, Munich, and London, where they meet experts, investors, and potential customers. This year, a jury of investors and fintech experts has chosen ten startups to participate in the 2025 Venture Leaders Fintech roadshow in London. The programme offers opportunities to engage with investors through pitch sessions, attend workshops with industry leaders, and strengthen business development efforts. The selected companies operate across a range of sectors, including options trading, wealth management, AI risk governance, insurance (pet, weather, and claims), blockchain investigations, regulatory compliance, and secure data management. Stefan Steiner “The startups in the Venture Leaders Fintech programme are doing impressive work, and the London roadshow is a key step forward to showcase Swiss innovation globally,” said Stefan Steiner, Co-Managing Director at Venturelab. Previous Venture Leaders Fintech alumni include companies such as Crypto Finance (acquired by Deutsche Börse), eCollect (acquired by Intrum), Imburse (acquired by Duck Creek Technologies), Qumram (acquired by Dynatrace), as well as Lend, Sonect, TP24, and Wyden. The public can meet this year’s participants during the webinar State of Fintech in Switzerland 2025 on 17 September 2025. The London roadshow will run from 10 to 14 November 2025, with updates available via the hashtag #VLeadersFintech. Meet the Venture Leaders Fintech startups 2025:   Allasso │ Geneva   Allasso SA simplifies options trading with real-time insights, backtesting, and deep data to replace legacy systems.     Calingo Insurance│ Zurich  Calingo provides digital pet insurance integrated where pet owners need it most, such as directly through breeders, veterinarians, or pet stores.     Calvin Risk │ Zurich  Calvin Risk provides a modular AI risk management software with standardised model testing, inventorisation, governance tooling, and risk profiling for predictive and generative AI.     Insurteam │ Vaud Insurteam streamlines insurance claims by using AI to handle repetitive tasks, enabling managers to close cases in minutes instead of weeks.     MachinaLabs │ Basel MachinaLabs provides a secure, scalable AI platform designed to automate complex workflows across compliance, financial analytics, and regulatory intelligence.     Poncho Insurance │ Vaud  Poncho offers embedded weather insurance via API, enabling travel providers to automatically compensate customers for bad weather, no claims needed.     Recoveris │ Zug  Recoveris tracks and recovers lost digital assets using AI-powered analytics and expert investigators in blockchain, law enforcement, and law.     rezonanz │ Zurich  rezonanz uses NLP and machine learning to turn proxy voting and engagement data into actionable insights, helping investors drive real-world sustainability outcomes.     Selma Finance │ Zurich  Selma Finance offers AI-powered, personalised investing and retirement planning, making wealth management in Switzerland simple, affordable, and accessible for all.     TransferChain │ Zug  TransferChain provides zero-knowledge file and password management with unmatched security, using client-side encryption, data fragmentation, and blockchain-based access control.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by aumwattanaracha via Freepik The post 10 Swiss Fintech Startups Selected for 2025 Venture Leaders London Roadshow appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Zodia Markets, a London-based digital asset platform focused on enabling institutional capital flows via stablecoins, has raised US$18.25 million in a Series A funding round, amid growing demand for real-time wholesale trading, settlement, and cross-border transactions using stablecoins. The round was led by Pharsalus Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm, with participation from Circle Ventures, The Operating Group, XVC Tech, Token Bay Capital, Human Capital, and other strategic investors. Founded in 2021 by Usman Ahmad and Nick Philpott, Zodia Markets has been backed since its inception by SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered Bank, and OSL Group, a Hong Kong-based digital asset company. The firm provides an institutional-first approach combining wholesale finance with the continuous availability of digital assets and has developed stablecoin-enabled flows across multiple currencies and regions. Usman Ahmad, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said: Usman Ahmad “This raise is an endorsement of our strategy, vision and execution, but more than that, reflects the conviction of globally respected investors who recognise both the complexity of this market and the scale of what we’re building. Their participation signals confidence not just in our model, but in our role as a leader in reshaping and redefining wholesale capital movement. “Institutional capital shouldn’t have to wait for banking hours or be held back by manual workarounds. Our heritage means we’re in a unique position to re-engineer traditional foreign exchange capital flows with real-time stablecoin settlement across borders. The next era of finance starts with us, and we’re excited to have more support to execute our vision to reimagine the movement of money.” Zodia Markets currently supports over 20 fiat currencies and more than 70 digital assets, including USD and non-USD stablecoins. The funding will be used to continue the firm’s geographic expansion, develop stablecoin-based payment orchestration capabilities, and introduce additional institutional trading products to facilitate cross-border payments.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by weyo via Freepik The post Zodia Markets Raises $18.25M to Expand Stablecoin-Based Institutional Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Airwallex, a global financial platform, has received a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The authorisation will allow the company to launch Airwallex Yield, giving European businesses a way to earn returns on idle multi-currency balances. The product will provide small to medium-sized businesses with access to Money Market Funds (MMFs), an option not commonly available through traditional banks. Businesses will be able to transfer funds between their cash balance and Yield account at any time, with no lock-up periods or term deposit restrictions. Yield will support balances in euros, pounds and US dollars, enabling businesses to manage and earn returns on multiple currencies from a single account without the need to open multiple bank accounts. Airwallex has already launched Yield in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. The planned rollout in the Netherlands follows 199% year-on-year revenue growth in the market. This was driven by a tripling of active customer accounts, the launch of products including NL IBANS, Exact Online integration and multi-currency settlement, and senior hires in risk and regulatory compliance for its new office. Shannon Scott Shannon Scott, SVP and Global Head of Product at Airwallex, said, “Receiving our MiFID license is the first step to launching Yield in the Netherlands and will get us one step closer to providing European businesses with a smarter way to make their money work harder. Instead of leaving surplus funds idle, companies will soon be able to earn competitive returns – often more than double traditional banks – while keeping full flexibility to access their cash whenever they need it. This is about helping businesses unlock greater value from their capital while navigating today’s economic environment with confidence and agility.” Laurens Maartens Laurens Maartens, Executive Director Yield at Airwallex, said, “Obtaining our MiFID license from the AFM is a testament to our dedicated efforts and close collaboration with the Dutch regulators. This significant milestone not only underscores our commitment to compliance and robust financial practices but also paves the way for us to empower European businesses with innovative financial solutions like Yield, helping them to unlock greater value from their capital.”     This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore.  Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by smth.design via Freepik   The post Airwallex Gains Dutch Regulatory Approval to Offer Yield Product Across Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Thredd has become the first to offer its travel agency clients real-time payment control through new flexible product codes introduced via the Mastercard Wholesale Programme (MWP). The capability enables clients to adjust payments based on geography, product type and volume, aiming to improve visibility, adaptability and control in business-to-business travel transactions. The MWP, developed to address the global nature of the travel sector, provides security and predictability for cross-border payments between travel buyers and suppliers. Following industry feedback, the programme now allows issuers to switch between product codes in real time, enabling travel organisations to adapt virtual card technology according to supplier or product requirements. Chiara Quaia “Mastercard is committed to curating and scaling payment technologies that meet the specific needs of the travel sector,” said Chiara Quaia, Senior Vice President, Travel at Mastercard. Jim McCarthy “We’re pleased to see Thredd launch the flexible product codes now available through the Mastercard Wholesale Programme, a solution we will continue to develop based on industry feedback.” Jim McCarthy, CEO of Thredd, said: “In the travel space, speed and cost-efficiency are critical. With the enhanced flexible product code feature, enabled through the Mastercard Wholesale Programme, OTAs and other travel clients can adopt more agile and scalable payment flows while keeping operational overhead low.” According to Thredd, the feature is designed to help optimise costs, improve payment speed to travel suppliers, strengthen supplier relationships and support market expansion.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by pbstudio48 via Freepik The post Thredd Offers Real-Time Payment Control via Mastercard Wholesale Programme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.