NatWest has appointed Adeel Hyder as Managing Director of Business Banking, where he will lead the bank’s strategy to strengthen support for small and micro-businesses across the UK. Hyder will join the bank on 1 June 2026 from Starling Bank. He previously held roles at McKinsey & Company and TSB Bank, and most recently worked at Starling, where he contributed to the development and expansion of its digital business banking services. In the new role, Hyder will report to Robert Begbie, CEO of Commercial & Institutional at NatWest, and will join the division’s Executive Committee. Hyder said: Adeel Hyder “I’m delighted to join NatWest and excited to lead its Business Banking business at such a pivotal moment. Small business entrepreneurs are the fundamental drivers and barometer of the health of the UK economy, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the bank to ensure entrepreneurs can focus on doing what they love while we save them time and help them stay in control of their finances through our solutions.” Supporting SMEs remains a core part of NatWest’s strategy. The bank’s Business Banking arm serves more than one million SMEs, including start-ups, small firms, high-growth businesses and community organisations. The division also plays a role in the group’s funding base and is part of a wider digital transformation and growth programme planned for 2026. NatWest has also announced plans to expand its NatWest Accelerator programme for entrepreneurs to a community of 50,000 participants in 2026. The initiative forms part of the bank’s “Growing Together” plan, which focuses on regional growth, support for mid-market firms, infrastructure and housing, financial confidence, and innovation across the UK economy.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Trend2023 via Freepik The post NatWest Appoints Adeel Hyder as Managing Director of Business Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Clearstream, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), and Euroclear, in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), have published a white paper titled “Building the Path Towards Digital Asset Securities Interoperability”. The paper examines the challenges of achieving interoperability within the decentralised finance (DeFi) ecosystem. It also proposes a framework for industry collaboration on data standardisation, process harmonisation, and consistent role allocation. It identifies five foundational areas necessary for interoperability in digital asset securities. These are: assets and liabilities, ownership recognition, asset lifecycle and movement protocols, ledgers, and legal and regulatory compliance. The paper highlights that industry participants must address fragmentation across distributed ledger technology (DLT) networks. The paper notes that achieving interoperability could simplify use cases and enable new business models. It could also help preserve asset mobility, liquidity, security, and fungibility. The framework builds on a 2024 joint publication, “Building the Digital Asset Ecosystem”. The publication established the Digital Asset Securities Control Principles (DASCPs), which cover legal certainty, regulatory compliance, resilience and security, safeguarding customers’ assets, connectivity, interoperability, and operational stability. Jens Hachmeister, Head of Issuer Services and New Digital Markets at Clearstream, added: Jens Hachmeister “The framework presented in this white paper is testament to our ongoing engagement for interoperability, enabling harmonisation, driving adoption, and unlocking value.” Isabelle Delorme, Head of Product Strategy and Innovation at Euroclear, said: Isabelle Delorme “Through shared collaboration and deep market expertise, we can provide the intelligence and practical solutions needed to unlock real value, accelerate adoption of DLT rails, and support seamless, global participation at scale.” The authors encourage industry participants to consider the framework in their strategy roadmaps to support issuers and investors while maintaining the safeguards that underpin trust in global financial markets.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by topntp26 via Freepik The post Clearstream, DTCC and Euroclear Propose Framework for Digital Asset Interoperability appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Temenos has announced that BEA International Bank, the newly established French subsidiary of Banque Extérieure d’Algérie (BEA), has gone live with Temenos Core Banking and Financial Crime Mitigation (FCM) as a cloud-based SaaS solution. The deployment provides a scalable platform to support BEA International Bank’s operations and growth in France. BEA International Bank has opened branches in Paris, Marseille and Saint-Denis, and the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and the European Central Bank (ECB) have approved it. The bank offers a full range of services, including current and savings accounts, mortgage financing, and support for businesses and professionals. The implementation included Temenos Core Banking and FCM, delivered as SaaS, alongside regulatory reporting tools adapted to local requirements. Temenos Country Model Bank accelerators, which provide pre-configured products and compliance templates, supported a faster deployment. Mohammed-Lamine Lebbou, Managing Director of BEA International Bank, said: Mohammed-Lamine Lebbou “Launching BEA International Bank in France is a major milestone for us. Temenos SaaS simplified the deployment of the core banking functionality for our new operations and gives us the flexibility and scalability to deliver innovative services to our customers while supporting our long-term growth ambitions.” Santhosh Rao, Managing Director – MEA at Temenos, said: Santhosh Rao “We are proud to support BEA International Bank in its launch in France. This go-live highlights Temenos’ experience in enabling banks across Europe to implement cloud core banking technology.” Temenos and delivery partner LTIMindtree collaborated to deliver the project.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post BEA International Bank Launches Operations in France with Temenos Cloud Core appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

In Switzerland, firms are bullish about the prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) for improving efficiencies and driving innovation. A new study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, found that planned AI investments will increase over the next four years. The survey, which polled more than 2,000 executives, including 40 from Switzerland and 100 from Germany, in H2 2025, revealed that 73% of Swiss respondents expect AI to make a significant contribution to their revenue by 2030. German respondents were even more optimistic, with 81% sharing the same expectation. These figures represent a sharp rise from the current situation, where 30% of Swiss and 43% of German executives say AI already drives revenue at their organization. Both Swiss and German leaders believe that AI will become critical driver of business growth by 2030. Accordingly, Swiss executives expect that AI investment will surge by approximatively 156%, compared with 148 % for their German counterparts. Today, 45% of AI spending in German and Swiss organizations focuses on efficiency improvements. By 2030, Swiss executives anticipate that 63% of AI spending will be dedicated to product and service and business model innovation, on par with German executives at 62%. This shift underscores a move towards new revenue streams and opportunities, and beyond mere operational efficiency. Finally, 55% of the Swiss and 61% of the German executives surveyed believe that competitive advantages in 2030 will be achieved more through innovation than through resource optimization. Despite enthusiasm, AI adoption in the financial services industry remains largely at the early stage. A 2025 survey by Swiss Fintech Innovations and Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences polled 24 institutions in Switzerland and revealed that only 17% had reached the deployment phase while an even smaller proportion, 11%, were at the scaling phase. Most institutions (40%) were still at the ideation and small pilot phase. Quantum technology outlook Looking ahead to 2030, a majority of executives anticipate that quantum technology will profoundly affect their industries. 68% of the German and 63% of the Swiss respondents surveyed by IBM expect quantum-based AI to transform their sectors. Banking, in particular, is projected to experience a pronounced transformation driven by quantum computing. According to the study, banking executives are 113% more likely than executives in other industries to expect quantum to deliver business value for their enterprise by 2030. Leading institutions are already exploring quantum solutions, with HSBC, for example, conducting a proof-of-concept experiment that combined quantum and classical computing resources for trade predictions. The experiment showed promising results, achieving as much as a 34% improvement in predicting how likely a trade would be filled at a quoted price, compared to common classical techniques used in the industry. Despite the optimism, only 30% of German and 23% of Swiss executives expect to be using quantum computing by then. This underscores a gap between expectations and near-term adoption. Quantum technology promises use cases beyond the capabilities of today’s most powerful high‑performance computers, pushing past current computational limits, including those of AI. However, realizing this potential will require building flexible operations, robust infrastructure, and partnerships with quantum research institutions and technology providers. It will also require developing talent pipelines that emphasize both classical and quantum approaches to problem-solving. Security considerations are also paramount as quantum computers introduce new risks and threatens to break widely used cryptography methods such as RSA and ECC. Threat actors are already using “harvest now, decrypt later” tactics, stealing encrypted data today to potentially unlock once quantum capabilities mature. A recent study by Entrust and Ponemon Institute polled more than 4,000 IT practitioners and revealed that only 38% of organizations are actively preparing for the quantum threat. In particular, organizations across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, also referred to as the DACH region, lead preparedness at 45%, surpassing the US at 40%. This reflects stricter privacy laws in Europe, creating added urgency to attain quantum resistance. Is your organization preparing for the post-quantum threat? Source: 2026 Global State of Post-Quantum and Cryptographic Security Trends, Ensure, 2026   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on images by dvoevnore and Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik The post Swiss Executives Anticipate AI Investment Surge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Klarna has expanded its partnership with Stripe, enabling more businesses to offer flexible payment options to customers worldwide. Founded in 2005 in Sweden, Klarna now serves over 100 million active customers and more than 700,000 businesses, providing buy now, pay later, longer-term financing, and instant payment solutions. Victoria Watmough “We’re always thinking about the entire customer journey,” said Victoria Watmough, Klarna’s Head of Distribution Partnerships. Since 2019, Stripe has supported Klarna with global payment processing and virtual card issuing. The partnership was extended last year to allow Stripe-powered businesses in 25 countries to add Klarna instantly at checkout. This contributed to a doubling of new businesses offering Klarna in Q4 2024 compared with average quarterly adoption, with more than 200,000 businesses now enabled. Retailers report strong results. Customised apparel brand INDOCHINO saw a 16% increase in average order value, while OrderMyGear experienced a 67% rise, with Klarna paying businesses upfront and allowing customers to pay over time. The integration now spans retail, entertainment ticketing, travel, healthcare, and automotive services. The upgraded Klarna API on Stripe delivers full feature access, including Express checkout and on-site messaging. Stripe’s Optimized Checkout Suite uses AI to tailor payment methods for each shopper. Alexis Zhu, Head of Strategic Payment Methods at Stripe, said, Alexis Zhu “With this Klarna API upgrade, businesses get access to Klarna’s full feature offering and the fastest Klarna integration available anywhere.” Klarna, a fully licensed bank, also uses Stripe Issuing and Stripe Financial Connections to provide secure, flexible payment options. The partnership continues to support new markets and currencies, aiming for Klarna to be available wherever Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are accepted. Watmough added, “Our teams are leveraging each other’s skills as we continue to innovate, grow, and jointly reach new markets, businesses, and consumers.”     Featured image credit: Stripe The post Klarna Expands Global Reach Through Stripe Partnership appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Worldline has processed its first Wero online payment in Belgium, making the country the second in Europe, after Germany, to enable eCommerce transactions with the system. The Belgian Red Cross-Flanders (Rode Kruis-Vlaanderen) completed the first Wero online transaction following Wero’s recent eCommerce launch in Belgium. Joachim Goyvaerts, CEO of Worldline Belgium, was the first to use Wero for an online donation to the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. Several retailers have indicated plans to offer Wero as a payment option on their platforms. Joachim Goyvaerts “Our priority is to make new payment methods easy to activate and reliable at scale. With Wero for e-commerce, Worldline strengthens its digital payments proposition and enables merchants to offer European shoppers a seamless checkout experience… We’re proud to have enabled the first Belgian Wero online payment for the Red Cross,” said Goyvaerts. The announcement follows the European Payments Initiative’s press conference earlier on the launch of Wero for e-commerce in Belgium.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by RSplaneta via Freepik The post Belgium Completes First Wero Online Payment Transaction for Red Cross appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Revolut has unveiled the Official Card of the Audi Revolut F1 Team. The limited-edition card coincides with the team’s inaugural season. Revolut customers can join a waitlist to be notified when the card becomes available. The card features an aerodynamic design and is coated in the same high-grade titanium used in the R26 – Audi Revolut F1 Team’s 2026 car, which will be driven by Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Antoine Le Nel, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Revolut, said: Antoine Le Nel “Designed for racing enthusiasts, who value performance, precision and premium craftsmanship, it offers a tangible way to commemorate a new era of racing. Melbourne is set to be an unforgettable start to the season, both on and off the track and across the city. We couldn’t be more excited for lights out and kicking off the season in true Revolut style.” Stefano Battiston, Chief Commercial Officer of Audi Revolut F1 Team, added: Stefano Battiston “Seeing our design language translated onto the Revolut card is a strong expression of that alignment. The Audi Revolut F1 Team skin captures key elements of our visual identity, extending our philosophy beyond the car and into everyday life for our fans.”     Featured image credit: Revolut The post Audi Revolut F1 Team Launches Official Titanium Card for Fans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Nexi, a European paytech, and Google Cloud have announced a MoU to develop infrastructure for next-generation digital commerce. The collaboration focuses on agentic commerce, where AI agents navigate shopping journeys and execute secure payments on behalf of consumers, based solely on their explicit authorisation. Nexi will also use Google Cloud technologies to improve operational efficiency across its platforms. The MoU aims to combine Google Cloud’s AI and data capabilities with Nexi’s European payment network and acquiring expertise. Nexi has committed to supporting open-source commerce standards, including the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), to enable AI-driven shopping journeys and payments. The companies will explore agentic commerce while assessing ways to optimise Nexi’s operations, including real-time fraud detection and merchant onboarding, and creating a secure environment for converting digital intent into authorised transactions. Roberto Catanzaro “We are entering an era where AI agents will increasingly orchestrate commerce on behalf of consumers, making it imperative for merchants to provide seamless, autonomous transaction experiences,” said Roberto Catanzaro, Chief Business Officer, Merchant Solutions at Nexi. “By endorsing the UCP and AP2 protocols alongside other leading payments and technology companies, we will help shape the European ecosystem for this transformational shift.” Tara Brady, president of Google Cloud EMEA, added: Tara Brady “As consumer journeys shift toward agentic commerce, trust and security become the primary currencies of the digital economy. Google Cloud is at the forefront of delivering secure, agentic AI technologies to the financial sector. With these capabilities, Nexi will accelerate innovation, optimise transaction workflows, and define the next generation of digital payments for the European market.” The collaboration will enable AI agents to facilitate secure, authorised payments using cryptographically signed mandates and verifiable credentials. It will integrate conversational sales channels to capture intent in real time. It will also provide a standardised and compliant European payment infrastructure. The partnership will support Nexi in improving operational efficiency through AI-driven fraud detection. It will automate compliance processes and streamline merchant onboarding. Additionally, it will enhance access to Nexi’s payment services for independent software vendors.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by ismode via Freepik The post Nexi Partners with Google Cloud to Develop AI Payments in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

German media group Axel Springer has acquired Bisnow, a commercial real estate media and events company headquartered in the US. Bisnow, founded in 2005, operates a global platform of news, live events, and targeted B2B solutions, hosting more than 400 events annually across 47 markets in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. The company has built a reputation for combining journalism with professional networking within the commercial real estate sector. Robert Dippell will lead the newly formed Brew Media Group in addition to his role as CEO of Morning Brew, which is based in New York. Both Bisnow and Morning Brew will continue to operate as separate, independently run businesses under Brew Media Group, which plans to pursue further acquisitions in the US to broaden its offerings across events, newsletters and digital products. Gregg Mayer, CEO of Bisnow, said: Gregg Mayer “Axel Springer recognises not only our performance and leadership in commercial real estate, but also the culture, entrepreneurial drive, and industry relationships that set us apart. This doesn’t change who we are; it expands what we can achieve. Now, we have the opportunity to grow, invest in our people and brands, and build on the momentum we’ve created to supercharge our mission-to push the CRE industry to do more business.” Claudius Senst, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Board member of Axel Springer, said: Claudius Senst “Gregg Mayer and his team have built a true leader in commercial real estate media and live events. Robert Dippell’s track record at Morning Brew and earlier role at Bisnow make him the ideal choice as the CEO of Brew Media Group. We are looking forward to supporting the team as they continue to build on this strong foundation.” The acquisition strengthens Axel Springer’s presence in the US and complements its portfolio of digital media brands, including Business Insider, POLITICO, eMarketer and Morning Brew, while adding Bisnow’s expertise in live events and industry-focused journalism. Bisnow was previously owned by The Wicks Group, a private equity firm based in New York.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by farknot via Freepik The post Axel Springer Forms Brew Media Group with Acquisition of US CRE Platform Bisnow appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

G+D Netcetera, the financial software subsidiary of Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), has completed the acquisition of the Payments & Banking Services business of Bank-Verlag. The division’s infrastructure processes around one in four card- and internet-based payments in Germany. Following the transaction, G+D Netcetera expands its role as a provider of end-to-end digital solutions for the German financial sector. Carsten Wengel, CEO of G+D Netcetera, will lead the new business unit on an interim basis, together with Sascha Kraatz, a member of the existing management team. The unit employs approximately 280 people and serves more than 200 banks. Carsten Wengel “We are starting a new chapter of growth,” Wengel said. “The strong position of Bank-Verlag in the German banking market, combined with our technological capabilities, creates new opportunities. Together, we want to help shape the digital future of the financial industry.” The acquisition marks a milestone for G+D Netcetera, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year. Its expanded portfolio now covers payment security, including fraud prevention and secure authentication; payment enablement and integration, such as processing and network connectivity; digital identity services; mobile and web banking applications; and digital wealth solutions. Alongside the integration process, G+D Netcetera and the new division will determine the future organisational structure and leadership. G+D plans to invest a high double-digit million euro amount in IT modernisation, including cloud-capable architectures, analytics and fraud prevention systems. Existing client relationships and service-level agreements will remain unchanged. “The Bank-Verlag has built trust with German banks over more than six decades. That represents both a responsibility and an incentive for us,” Wengel said. “In the coming months, I will spend time with our new colleagues and clients. Our objective is to make payments and banking in Germany simpler, more secure and more efficient for banks, merchants and consumers.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by freepik The post G+D Netcetera Completes Bank-Verlag Payments Acquisition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

finpension has exceeded CHF 5 billion in assets under management as of the end of February, marking a significant milestone for the company. At the beginning of September 2025, assets under management stood at CHF 4 billion. The number of clients has also grown, with around 60,000 now using finpension’s solutions. The Invest product for discretionary assets has seen strong uptake, particularly among Millennials. In 2025, finpension recorded operating income of CHF 16.8 million and a net profit of approximately CHF 7.7 million, representing a 27% increase compared with the previous year. The annual profit raised the company’s equity to CHF 20.4 million. Over the same period, assets under management increased by CHF 1.4 billion to CHF 4.6 billion, with net new money of CHF 1.1 billion. Looking ahead, finpension plans to enter the mortgage market. Beat Bühlmann “Mortgages in particular offer great potential. Banks earn well on the interest margin, without being digital or cost-effective. We believe this can be done better,” said Beat Bühlmann, Founder and Initiator. finpension currently manages client portfolios directly through its own pension foundations and FINMA license as a custodian securities firm, providing investment services from a single source.       Featured image credit: finpension The post finpension Surpasses CHF 5 Billion in Assets Amid Rapid Client Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Banco Santander and Mastercard have completed what they describe as Europe’s first live end-to-end payment executed by an AI agent within a regulated banking framework. Santander carried out the transaction in a controlled environment using Mastercard’s Agent Pay solution and processed it through its live payments infrastructure. The bank designed the test to validate the operational and control framework under real conditions. The system enables AI agents to initiate and execute payments on behalf of customers within predefined limits and permissions, using existing payment networks while maintaining established standards of security, privacy and consumer protection. Matías Sánchez, Global Head of Cards and Digital Solutions at Santander, said: Matías Sánchez “Our role is not only to adopt innovation, but to shape it responsibly, embedding security, governance and customer protection by design. As AI agents become part of everyday commerce, building trusted, scalable frameworks will be essential to unlocking their full potential.” Santander said the milestone demonstrates its technical and operational readiness to support AI-driven transaction models. The bank will move into further testing and scaling, assessing additional use cases and partnerships while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational controls. Mastercard Agent Pay integrates AI agents into the payment process as governed participants, enabling interaction between issuers, acquirers and merchants. The end-to-end orchestration of the transaction was supported by PayOS. Kelly Devine, President, Europe at Mastercard, said: Kelly Devine “With Mastercard Agent Pay, we are applying the same principles that have defined our network for decades, security, trust, interoperability and global scale, to a new era of AI-enabled commerce.”       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by ismode via Freepik The post Santander and Mastercard Complete Europe’s First Live AI Agent Payment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

US open banking fintech Plaid has reportedly reached a valuation of US$8 billion following its latest funding round, according to Bloomberg. Bloomberg cites sources familiar with the matter, who suggest that the company raised the funds to provide employees with liquidity for their shares. Founded in 2013, Plaid enables financial institutions to link users’ accounts to apps and services. With a workforce of over 900, the company facilitates the sharing of data such as account balances and numbers, transaction histories, and personal loan details to support services including lending, underwriting, financial management, payments, and banking. Investors Ribbit Capital and Silver Lake back the fintech, which last raised US$575 million in April 2025 in a round led by Franklin Templeton. That investment valued Plaid at US$6.1 billion, a sharp decline from its US$13.4 billion valuation following its US$425 million Series D round in 2021. Major players such as Venmo, Chime, and Betterment use Plaid’s technology, led by co-founder and CEO Zachary Perret. The company claims to connect with 11,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, and Europe.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Plaid Valued at US$8 Billion After Latest Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Barclays is exploring the development of a blockchain platform to manage processes such as payments, joining global peers like JPMorgan Chase in investigating digital-asset technology for banking services. The UK-based lender has issued a request for information to potential technology suppliers as it considers how to expand its offerings, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions. The initiative could encompass payments applications such as stablecoins and tokenised deposits, according to Bloomberg. Stablecoins, typically pegged to assets like the US dollar, are gaining traction in payments and could threaten traditional banking revenue streams, as technology firms and fintechs increasingly enter the space. Meta is reportedly testing ways to integrate stablecoin payments into its apps. Banks are looking to protect their position and capitalise on the opportunity by building blockchain systems capable of processing payments and settlements around the clock. JPMorgan has begun rolling out its deposit token, JPM Coin, for institutional clients, while HSBC plans to expand its tokenised deposit service to corporate clients in the US and UAE in the first half of this year. Tokenised deposits are essentially on-chain representations of clients’ bank account balances. Although banks and large corporates have experimented with blockchain-based services for over a decade, most systems remain in their infancy, and transaction volumes are far lower than those processed via traditional platforms. Barclays aims to select technology providers as soon as April, signalling a renewed push into digital-asset banking infrastructure.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by davidpinta9122 via Freepik The post Barclays Explores Blockchain for Payments Amid Stablecoin Surge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Adnovum announced that CEO Thomas Zangerl has stepped down on 1 March 2026. Following the completion of the acquisitions of IT service providers iSPIN and Koch IT, Zangerl has fulfilled a key strategic mandate and prepared the Group for its next phase of development. After discussions with the Board, Zangerl concluded that it was the appropriate time to hand over operational leadership. Thomas Zangerl “I am proud of what we have achieved together. With the acquisitions completed and a clear strategic direction in place, Adnovum is well positioned for the next growth phase. Now is the right time to pass on leadership so that new energy can continue the integration and bring fresh impetus,” he said. To ensure continuity, Board member Reto Isenegger will assume operational management on an interim basis from 1 March 2026. Zangerl will remain with the company until the end of March to facilitate a smooth handover. The Board will conduct a careful search for a permanent CEO without time pressure.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by mangpor2004 via Freepik The post Adnovum CEO Thomas Zangerl Steps Down, Interim Leadership Appointed appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

OpenAI announced US$110 billion in new investment at a US$730 billion pre-money valuation, as demand for artificial intelligence continues to increase across consumers, developers and businesses. The funding round includes US$30 billion each from SoftBank, NVIDIA and Amazon. OpenAI has also entered into a strategic partnership with Amazon and secured next-generation inference compute from NVIDIA. Additional financial investors are expected to join as the round progresses. OpenAI said the partnerships will expand its global reach, strengthen its infrastructure and support balance sheet capacity as it scales its models and products. Product adoption has continued to grow. Codex, OpenAI’s software development tool, now has 1.6 million weekly users, more than triple the figure at the start of the year. ChatGPT has more than 900 million weekly active users and over 50 million paying consumer subscribers. According to the company, January and February are on track to be the largest months for new subscriber additions in its history. More than nine million paying business users rely on ChatGPT for work. Start-ups, enterprises and governments are building applications on OpenAI’s platform, with deployments expanding across engineering, customer support, finance, sales and operations. OpenAI’s Frontier platform helps organisations build, deploy and manage AI systems for workplace use. OpenAI said it is entering “a new phase where frontier AI moves from research into daily use at global scale,” adding that leadership will depend on the ability to scale infrastructure and convert that capacity into widely used products. The latest valuation increases the value of the OpenAI Foundation’s stake in OpenAI Group to over US$180 billion, strengthening its capacity to fund philanthropic initiatives, including health research and AI resilience.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by smilephotoap via Freepik The post OpenAI Raises US$110B at US$730B Valuation to Expand Global AI Reach appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Statrys, a Hong Kong-based fintech company providing integrated accounting, business accounts, and company creation solutions, has introduced a transaction-based accounting pricing model on 2 March 2026. It is tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and entrepreneurs seeking greater flexibility and cost transparency. The new model aligns accounting fees with the number of transactions processed each month. This approach is designed to better support early-stage companies and seasonal businesses whose transaction volumes may fluctuate, so clients can select a tier that reflects what they actually do in a given month. Clients will benefit from a transparent pricing structure that charges them only for the services they use each month, eliminating reliance on estimates or projections. This service covers essential compliance and financial functions, including bookkeeping, audited financial statements, tax computations, tax return filings, and offshore tax claims. Each client will be supported year-round by a dedicated accountant providing ongoing guidance. Statrys aims to help clients understand how their transaction patterns affect their fees and how to optimise costs over time. By combining technology-powered processes and professional oversight, Statrys enables clients to stay focused on growth while maintaining compliance with the Inland Revenue Department and Hong Kong’s statutory deadlines. Fees are billed monthly based on the number of transactions reflected on the client’s statement for that month, with accommodation tiers starting at zero to two transactions per month for low-activity and newly incorporated companies. CEO and founder of Statrys, Bertrand Theaud, commented, saying that at Statrys, the business understands that SMEs and startups often experience fluctuating transaction volumes, particularly in their early stages. Traditional accounting fees do not always reflect this reality. Bertrand Theaud ”With our transaction-tiered model, we aim to provide a structure that better aligns with how businesses actually operate — offering flexibility while maintaining the professional standards and regulatory support that companies in Hong Kong require. Our objective is simple: give founders clearer visibility over their accounting costs so they can focus on growth with confidence.” Statrys remains committed to empowering clients in an increasingly competitive landscape by providing essential tools for their success. The new model is intended to provide businesses with greater control over operating expenses. As transaction volumes are measurable and manageable variables, clients can understand how their accounting activities influence fees and adjust their workflows accordingly. This Statrys flexible accounting plan promotes transparency and delivers exceptional value to Hong Kong start-ups and SME clients that may experience fluctuating monthly transaction volumes. With monthly billings tied to actual activity, the plan is designed to benefit businesses that require substantial cash flow flexibility and predictability during their early stages or seasonal periods. Featured image edited by Fintech News Switzerland based on an image by freepik on Freepik The post Statrys Launches Usage-Based Accounting Plans for Hong Kong SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

Lithuania is emerging as a significant hub for AI development within the European Union. While global AI infrastructure remains concentrated in a few countries, Lithuania offers a combination of policy foresight, technical expertise, and growing infrastructure that positions it as a strategic European location for AI research and investment. The country was among the first EU member states to adopt a national AI strategy in 2018. Since then, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation has directed over €52 million towards AI resource development and product innovation, including the recent €65 million LitAI centre, a regional AI innovation hub. The government has also established GovAI, a public-sector AI competence centre providing advisory support, training, and regulatory sandbox opportunities, according to Invest Lithuania. Lithuania was among the first EU states to designate competent authorities under the EU AI Act and launch a regulatory sandbox, offering structured guidance and compliance support for high- and medium-risk AI solutions. Lithuania also has a strong pipeline of AI talent. Around 21% of the population uses AI tools, and nearly 70% of teachers incorporate AI in their work, supported by government and private sector initiatives. The country’s deep tech ecosystem, valued at over €16.4 billion in 2025, includes a growing number of AI-powered startups and a skilled, multilingual workforce. AI infrastructure is expanding in line with Lithuania’s renewable energy targets. The country aims for 100% renewable electricity by 2028, while data centre investments, such as Telia’s €26 million facility near Vilnius, enhance local data security and capacity. Research initiatives at institutions like Kaunas University of Technology are also advancing energy-efficient AI development. While overall AI adoption among Lithuanian companies remains below the EU average, the combination of regulatory readiness, technical expertise, public-private collaboration, and infrastructure development positions Lithuania as a strategically relevant location for AI investment in Europe.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Who is Danny and coffeemill via Freepik The post Lithuania Emerges as a Growing AI Hub in the European Union appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

The Brink’s Company and NCR Atleos have announced a definitive agreement for Brink’s to acquire NCR Atleos in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately US$6.6 billion. The deal includes 13.3 million shares of Brink’s common stock, US$2.2 billion in cash, and the assumption of around US$2.6 billion of NCR Atleos’ debt. The acquisition combines Brink’s global cash management and route-based infrastructure with NCR Atleos’ ATM management expertise and its owned-and-operated ATM network, including its fast-growing ATM as a Service (ATMaaS) solutions. The two companies aim to offer a broader range of services to financial institutions and retail customers by integrating their technology, products, and software. Mark Eubanks “This acquisition further supports Brink’s ability to deliver enhanced customer solutions and accelerates our value creation strategy,” said Mark Eubanks, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brink’s. “By combining our organisations, we gain critical scale and complementary capabilities to drive our growth strategy and provide new levels of service to our global customer base.” Tim Oliver, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCR Atleos, said, Tim Oliver “Combining our businesses with Brink’s will enhance offerings to financial institutions and retailers and create more opportunities for our employees. The transaction delivers significant value to NCR Atleos shareholders and enables their participation in the future success of the combined company.” The combined company will serve financial institutions, governments, retailers, and independent ATM operators across more than 140 countries. NCR Atleos’ network of approximately 78,000 ATMs in high-traffic retail locations, part of a total installed base of about 600,000 ATMs globally, will expand Brink’s retail footprint and provide opportunities to integrate its Digital Retail Solutions with existing ATM operations.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by graphiccrew via Freepik The post Brink’s to Acquire NCR Atleos in US$6.6 Billion Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.

UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has selected four companies to test their stablecoin services under proposed regulation within a controlled environment. This forms part of the FCA’s commitment to supporting growth and innovation in UK financial services. From 20 applications, the chosen firms are Monee Financial Technologies, ReStabilise, Revolut, and VVTX. The Regulatory Sandbox programme allows firms to trial stablecoin products in real-world conditions with appropriate safeguards. It will enable the FCA to assess its proposed policy in practice and ensure future rules are clear, effective, and support responsible innovation. Testing will primarily focus on stablecoin issuance. The selected firms’ proposals cover a range of use cases, including payments, wholesale settlement, and crypto trading. Each firm will receive feedback from FCA specialists while contributing to the development of the UK’s regulatory approach. Matthew Long, Director of Payments and Digital Assets at the FCA, said: Matthew Long “We are supporting UK stablecoin issuers to ensure they can be trusted for payments, settlement and trading. It will benefit consumers and financial transactions and help to deliver the FCA’s strategy and the Government’s National Payments Vision.” The testing is part of the FCA’s wider efforts to enable innovation in UK financial services and complements other initiatives, including the Digital Securities Sandbox. Testing is set to begin in Q1 2026, with findings expected to inform the UK’s final stablecoin rules later that year.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by nijieimuart via Freepik The post FCA Selects Revolut and 3 Firms for 2026 Stablecoin Sandbox appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.